As part of efforts by the police to ensure a hitch-free Independence anniversary, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Sunday placed officers and men of the force, as well as other special operatives, on red alert nation-wide. Consequently, the IG directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Command Commissioners of Police, including the Maritime Command to ensure adequate and effective deployment of all operational tools and manpower within their commands, and to pay special attention to shopping malls, public parks and beaches, highways and other critical infrastructure and sensitive areas in order to guarantee the safety and well being of the citizenry. Notwitstanding the IG’s directive, Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), argued that following the socio-political and economic challenges facing the nation, a lot was still needed to put the nation on the right path. But Abubakar, in a statement signed by the Force spokesperson, Mr. Frank Mba, assured Nigerians that the police would do everything within available resources to discharge their statutory responsibilities of providing safe and secure environment for all, particularly during this period of Independence Anniversary. The IG called on Nigerians to put their differences aside and courageously continue to support the police in the face of current security challenges confronting the country. He enjoined all well meaning persons and groups to cooperate with the Force by providing useful information, especially with regards to the on-going fight against terrorism and other forms of crimes and criminalities, for
the mutual benefit and collective interest of the citizenry. Speaking on the celebration, Ahmed said at 53, Nigeria was yet to attain nationhood.
In a statement Ahmed said: “Nigerians are still besetted by primordial sentiments that promote ethnic and religious bigotry than national cohesion. Until we begin to see ourselves, first and foremost, as Nigerians before being from a particular part of the country, we would remain a country of ethnic nationalities as opposed to being a nation where we regard one another as indivisible entity.” Ahmed challenged Nigerians to exhibit more tenets of patriotism and renew their faith in the ability of their leaders to positively turn around the fortunes of the country. Corroborating Ahmed position, Amaechi said Nigeria would need accountable and transparent leadership if it were to attain greatness and take her place in the comity of progressive nations. Amaechi spoke yesterday at an inter- denominational church service to commemorate the Independence anniversary at Redemption Ministries, Port Harcourt, said: “The problem of this nation is the problem of leadership. When I say leadership, I am not talking about leadership in the presidency, or when you become a governor or local government chairman. I am talking of leadership in the home. As a husband, the leader in the home, can you look at your wife in the face and tell her what you earn? Can you give account to your wife? Have you been able to stand on your word to fulfil your promises? If we cannot account for our stewardship to our family, how then can we be accountable to the nation?” Represented by his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru, the governor said: “Nigeria is made up of good people and is a great nation. God has given us a population of 168 million people. God took time to bless us with enough crude oil. At the last count, Nigeria has 34 billion barrels of crude oil that is waiting to be tapped. God has given us 216 trillion cubic feet of gas waiting to be tapped. God gave us 925 square kilometres of land out of which 385 are waiting to be cultivated. In spite of the challenges facing the nation, Oshiomhole said Nigeria still had cause to celebrate its 53rd Independence anniversary. Oshiomhole, who stated this yesterday, at the Interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the St Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City, to mark the anniversary, said: “We celebrate independence not because we do not have challenges. Just like you celebrate your birthday, and not that you have become the richest man. Nigeria has problems. Every country has its own problems and our task is to remind ourselves that Nigeria is for all of us to build.” He said: “You cannot come from another part of the world to build Nigeria and if you give up on Nigeria, you don’t have another country. All of us must re-dedicate ourselves and I do not believe that Nigeria has no future. The fact that
leaders have failed does not mean that everybody has failed, it does not mean that there are no honest and responsible people in the country.” Corroborating Oshiomhole’s position, Amosun charged Nigerians not to lose hope but continue to pray and work hard to enable the nation recover from its present socio- economic and political challenges. Amosun, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Segun Adesegun, at the occasion held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, said Nigeria had all that was needed to be great, adding that for Nigeria to come out of its present situation, citizens most change their attitudes and contribute to the wellbeing of the nation wherever they find themselves. In his sermon at the occasion, the Bishop of Yewa Diocese, Anglican Communion, Revd S.O. Adebola, expressed regret that Nigeria, despite her potentials that should make her one of the greatest nations on earth has refused to grow, thereby making her a giant that could not rise and move at 53. Speaking also, the Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Ayinde, charged Nigerian leaders to govern the people with the fear of God is that the country can progress. Speaking yesterday at a special programme marking the 53rd and Ekiti State 17th anniversaries, Ayinde said it behoves the nation’s “leaders to lead us all in repentance and govern with the fear of God.” Also speaking on leadership at Nigeria’s 53rd anniversary, the former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said: “Grand intentions without vision meant nothing. Leaders must work with greater zeal and focus if democracy is expected to produce the envisaged impact on the lives of the people. "Nigerians have lost faith in their government because of this lack of vision in the management of the nation’s political, economic
and social affairs," said the former vice- president," he said. Reviewing the state of affairs in the country under democratic order, Atiku stated that leaders should not seek elective offices simply for the sake of power if they lack the vision to push economic growth, which in turn, creates employment and greater prosperity for the citizens. Atiku repeated his position that as an oil-rich nation, Nigerian leaders have no excuses to fail, adding that inexperience; lack of adequate preparation for office and drift should not be allowed to stand in the way of the country. He also argued that challenges like attracting and sustaining foreign direct investments, improving education, boosting the manufacturing sector, enhancing power generation, improving security, tackling poverty and unemployment had direct relationship with the quality of leadership a country has. According to Atiku, vision doesn’t exist in a vacuum, adding that performance levels could not be separated from the qualities of elected leaders.
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