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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said Nigeria has remained one country after 66 years of independence because of the sacrifices of generations of ordinary Nigerians whose names will never appear in history books.
Governor Uzodimma stated this, yesterday, in his remarks at the Thanksgiving Mass to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, held at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
The governor said 66 years is a long time in the life of a nation, noting that Nigeria has been through civil war, military rule, return to democracy, economic difficulties, and political crises that made many wonder about the future of the country.
“Yet Nigeria is here. After 66 years, despite everything we have been through, we remain one country. That is something worth thanking God for, because it did not happen by accident. Generations of Nigerians have made sacrifices to keep this country together, including ordinary people whose names will never appear in any history book,” Uzodimma said.
He acknowledged that Nigerians are going through difficult times, saying economic adjustments of recent years, although essential, have demanded sacrifices from families and businesses. He said the government has a duty to ensure that the sacrifices of the people lead to impactful transformation of their lives.
Uzodimma stressed that leadership does not begin and end in Government House or Aso Rock, but begins at home, in families, kindreds, communities, churches, schools and markets.
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“We cannot throw refuse into the drainage and then complain when our streets are flooded. We cannot break traffic rules whenever we think nobody will stop us and still complain that ours is a lawless society. We cannot cheat people in business, exploit those who work for us or celebrate somebody who suddenly becomes wealthy through fraud, and then behave as though dishonesty becomes a Nigerian problem only when the political class is involved,” he said.
The governor said he was not making excuses for the government, noting that those entrusted with public authority must answer for how they discharge it, but added that people who occupy public office come from families, schools, and communities.
“If you employ people and they work honestly for you, pay them fairly. If you are a trader, do not cheat your customer because you think you can get away with it. If you lead a town union, do not use that position to fight your enemies,” he added.
Uzodimma congratulated Imo people and Nigerians on the 66th anniversary, saying that though not everything has been done right, Nigeria belongs to all and everyone has responsibility for what it becomes.
“If we lead well where we are, we make it easier for Nigeria to be led well,” he said, praying God to give those in public office wisdom and humility to serve and Nigerians courage to do what is right even when nobody is watching.
Earlier, the archdiocese commended the flyover constructed by the state government, acknowledging that it befits the status of the Cathedral while requesting that a befitting fence should also be built around the church.
Present at the mass anniversary are: Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chinyere Ekomaru, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Acting Chief Judge of the state, Ijeoma Aguguo, other members of his cabinet, His Grace, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Catholic bishops of Okigwe and Orlu, and Auxiliary Archbishop of Owerri.
