NIGERIA @ 59: Okowa Urges Nigerians To Rekindle Hope In Nation

GOVERNOR of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to rekindle hope in the nation.

He made the call on Tuesday in Asaba at the celebration of the 59th Independence anniversary of Nigeria.

The Governor noted that countries all over the world had their own challenges; and called on citizens not to allow the challenges currently facing the country to overwhelm them..

Okowa said Nigerians should rekindle their hope, redouble their fervent prayers and supplication to Gods to see them through the numerous trials and unite them more than ever before, adding that they should speak  positively about their leaders and the country.

He appealed to Deltans, and indeed Nigerians, to rekindle their faith in a united country and in the continuous protection of democracy as the only viable system of governance in spite of obvious challenges.

The Governor assured Deltans that government would not renege in its responsibilities to them and would at all times, conscientiously act in the best interest of the State and according to the provisions of the Constitution.

He maintained that at 59, if Nigeria must make further progress and follow the speed of sustainable development across the globe as a united people, Nigerians must deemphasis regional, ethnic and religious divides, insisting that there should be concerted effort by all to foster growth and development in every part of the country.

While paying tribute to past and present leaders whose foresight and sacrifice gave Nigeria independence, Okowa  urged Nigerians to reflect on the journey so far take stock of the remarkable points of strength and weakness of Nigeria as a nation to be able to chart a right course for the future..

The Governor commended the people, especially Deltans, who over the years, made sacrifices to ensure that the country remained united and committed to the path of democracy, saying that his administration had maintained a steady focus on the economy of the state with a view to promoting prosperity and public- private- partnership in economic development.

He said the state government had expended considerable resources towards improving basic infrastructure notably roads, drainage networks, healthcare, electricity, schools, bridges, housing, urban renewal and portable water supply, assuring that the trend would be sustained, but not without the involvement of the private sector in the development process.

Okowa disclosed that the state government had laid the foundation for a critical mass of skills for entrepreneurship and business development, pointing out over 20,000 persons benefited from its flagship Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and similar programmes undertaken by Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commerce and Industry, Women Affairs, including Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

He appealled to beneficiaries of the schemes not to sell the empowerment tools handed over to them by  government at the end of their training, as that would defeat the purpose of creating a group of determined SME operators who would turn the state’s and country’s economies around.

The celebration featured march past by the military, paramilitary agencies, students and pupils of public and private schools.