Nigeria @ 54: Senator Sekibo, Gov Orji Preach Peace And Unity In Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

From Oyewale Oyelola/ Ignatius Okpara

As the country marks 54 years of independence, messages of unity and peace have continued to pour in torrents from the Nigerian political leaders in different arms of the government.

Senate Chairman, Committee on Defence and Army, Senator George Sekibo in his anniversary remarks expressed optimism that Nigeria would not disintegrate in 2015 as predicted.

Sekibo who made the statement while speaking with the newsmen said the country’s ethnic diversity was a blessing to the country, urging Nigerians to be partners in progress.

The Rivers State, Senator emphasized “Nigeria will not disintegrate in 2015 and beyond. We are better as one entity, we must remain united to move this nation forward. I believe Nigeria will not disintegrate as predicted in some quarters.

“You know I am from south south, the zone that accounted for 90 percent of Nigeria’s income. We should be the one calling for disintegration because other parts of the country are living on our resources, but I still believe in unity of Nigeria.”

Sekibo explained that Senate’s resolve to support fight against insurgents informed its approval of $1billion external loan for President Goodluck Jonathan to procure military equipment. He assured that the Senate would ensure the loan was spent for the purpose it is meant for.

The Federal lawmaker called on Nigerians to similarly support the President and military forces in war against insurgency in the Nigeria.

“Nigeria will defeat Boko Haram insurgents group and come out stronger as a nation”, added Sekibo.

From Abia state Governor, Theodore Orji (CON) came the appeal for unity among all Nigerians despite their religious, political or ethnic differences.

Governor Orji, who is also Chairman, South East Governor’s Forum in a press release issued Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Charles Ajunwa, noted that the current security and other challenges facing Nigeria would be a thing of the past “if all citizens and ethnic nationalities, political parties and religious bodies see the nation as one and indivisible entity.”

The Governor observed that the result achieved in the fight against Ebola virus was a foretaste of greater feats that would be recorded “in the various sectors of our national life if we remain united and tackle our challenges as one people.”

Orji, who commended the military and other security agencies for the recent victories gained in the war against insurgency, expressed strong belief in “one and indissoluble Nigeria.”

“Insecurity shall soon fizzle out if we rediscover ourselves as one people and harness the strength in our diversity,” he stressed.

He equally used the forum to appeal to Boko Haram insurgents to surrender and embrace peace as a mark of respect for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s nationalists who fought for independence and unity of Nigeria.

The Abia Chief Executive commended President Goodluck Jonathan for “entrenching democracy in the country through his laudable transformation agenda which has raised the bar of governance in Nigeria.”

He therefore, urged Nigerians to close ranks with the Mr. President in his bid to take Nigeria to its manifest destiny of growth, progress and development.

Orji further noted that the civilian administration had proved to be the best form of government considering the quantum of developments recorded in the country in the last 16 years.

As the general elections draw closer, Governor Orji appealed to aspirants jostling for various elective positions to eschew politics of bitterness and rancour in the overall interest of the country.

He assured the Abians that none of the legacy projects initiated by his administration would be abandoned, just as he expressed confidence that his successor would consolidate on the solid foundations he already laid.