Amaechi Tasks Nigerians On National Unity

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has
underscored the need for unity of purpose, patriotism and religious tolerance
by the citizenry as a way of moving the country forward.

Amaechi made the assertion on Monday during his speech at a
parade and activities to mark the 52nd Independence anniversary of the country
in Port Harcourt.

His words: “ We must shun ethnicity, nepotism, religious
bigotry and divisions. We must remember that we are one people with one people
closely knit together with no other nation to call home but this one’’.

The governor stressed the need for hard work to move the
country forward, as he reminded the people of the importance of leaving a
lasting legacy for the future generations.

Amaechi said,” as we celebrate 52 years of freedom, we must
remember that it is our collective destiny and nobody but Nigerians will build
our nation for us..My good people of Rivers State as we begin our journey into
our 53rd year as a people, let us rest assured that tomorrow carries great
promises and great hope.

It is true that the road ahead may not be all smooth and
that it would mean a lot of hard work. Yet there can be no resting on our oars
for both leaders and the led alike until we reach our destination.

We are people of a great country. Nigeria is the pride of
Africa and the world is looking to us to take our rightful place. We must
rekindle hope today, as we remember the labours of our heroes past. We must all
do our part to keep their dream alive and the torch burning.

Our pledge to you today is that we will give our people
reason to hope again and keep our state on the path of prosperity and hope. We
make this pledge under God knowing that He can and will enable us get to our
Eldorado. Together we can make it, together we will make it. ‘’

While proffering ways to develop the country, Commissioner
for Local Government Affairs in the State, Mr.Sam Eyiba harped on the need for
Nigerians to be patriotic and to shun corruption.

Mr Eyiba said,” we need to appreciate and love our country
and be patriotic, shun corruption and religious bigotry that will take us to
the promised land ‘’.

On his part, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,
Mr. Levi Gogo-Charles while thanking God for the unity of the country so far,
lauded Nigerians for being persevering even in the face of difficulties.

Earlier, Chairman of the State Tourism Development Authority
and former chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Woke stated
that the country has made tremendous strides in policy development, but blamed
the military for the various policy sommersaults witnessed in the country,
adding that democracy has helped in checking corruption,” I do not see any
major policy programme that was undertaken by Obasanjo and Yar’Adua that
Jonathan administration has dismantled completely .

We still have the EFCC standing. We still have the Bureau
for Public Procurement and all these things were not in place during the
military era,’’ he observed.