The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that for Nigeria to have triumphed over an array of challenges in the past 58 years, there is sign of hope for unstoppable greatness.
He urged citizens not to be despair but have a renewed hope in the Nigeria project, and be committed to the cause of nationhood through concerted efforts.
Aregbesola made this remarks in his independence message on Monday through the Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr Sola Fasure, to mark the 58th independence anniversary of the country, a copy of which was made available to the media in Osogbo.
The governor however implored the political class to put the country above personal and sectional interests, saying that what really determines true patriotism encompasses the will to make selfless sacrifice for the nation.
He said, “I felicitate with all Nigerians on our 58th independence anniversary. I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and every person in position of leadership in the country for being at the helm of affairs at this interesting time and for the great leadership they are providing for the country.
“In the long and tortuous 58 years of nationhood, we have had the good times and the challenging times. We went through democratic abortion thrice, then military regimes, oil booms, a civil war and the scourge of insurgency. We still managed to produce a Nobel Laureate in Literature. The greatness of Nigerians in all walks of life is established all over the world, wherever Nigerians can find themselves.
“That we can withstand all these blows and shocks and still be in one piece is an indication that our greatness is unstoppable, and our best is yet to come.
“Nigerians should therefore not despair or be discouraged. You should have renewed hope in Nigeria’s sustainability and the emergence of a secure, prosperous and self-reliant nation.
“The political class should always strive to put the nation before personal or section interest. It is incumbent on us to make sacrifice for the greater good of the country and our people.
“We should all work hard and productively, putting an end to the culture of dependence and parasitism for the nation to be prosperous.”
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