Former Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to count their blessings as the nation marks her 64th Independence Anniversary on Oct. 1.
Okechukwu, a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said this on Sunday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.
He said that the occasion called for a sober reflection, notwithstanding the prevailing socioeconomic realities in the country.
According to him, in spite of the prevailing economic challenges in the country, Nigerians still have a lot to celebrate.
“I was five years old by Independence in 1960; and it is good when we introspectively look inward and count our blessings.
“Among such blessings is a united country; a burgeoning population dotted especially with youth’s demographic advantage, more universities, tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools, more hospitals, roads and rails among others.
“I honestly thank Almighty God,” he said.
Okechukwu said that Nigeria was on the threshold of an era when “policies of public interest and common good will triumph over selfish policies of planlessness.”
He described Nigerians as good followers, adding that in no distant time, things would change for the better.
“My take, with due respect to our leaders, is that our previous leaderships had good intentions, but lacked the political will to commit class suicide.
“For without class suicide, how can leadership utilise our abundant human and material resources to lift millions out of poverty and effectively ignite Nigeria’s rapid revitalisation?” He asked rhetorically.
NAN reports that the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, Oct. 1, as a public holiday to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.
The government also urged Nigerians to meditate, pray and, if possible, fast for the turnaround of the fortunes of the nation.(NAN)
