INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

The Governor Dr Alex Otti has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in protecting the gains of the country’s independence and democracy, warning that complacency could expose the country’s freedoms to threats.

Governor Otti who made the call during a parade to mark the 66th Independence Anniversary of the country at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium, stressed that Nigeria’s future depends largely on the choices and actions of her citizens.

The Governor who entitled his speech, “Citizenship, Freedom and Vigilance”,urged Nigerians to embrace the responsibilities of citizenship and remain vigilant in protecting the freedom secured at independence, noting that the country’s challenges, including poverty, unemployment, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure can only be addressed through sense of unity and patriotism.

He said Nigerians must recognise themselves as stakeholders in the country’s development rather than leaving the responsibility for national progress solely to the government and identified voting, participating in social and political conversations, paying taxes, obeying laws among others as some of the ways citizens could contribute to nation-building.

Governor Otti while noting that democracy offered citizens the opportunity to influence who governs them, also urged them to reject dishonesty, mediocrity, greed, nepotism, clannishness, political apathy, vote-selling and primordial considerations during elections.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the security and socioeconomic transformation of the State and pledged to build systems and institutions that respond to the state’s development aspirations.

Abia State Deputy Gov. Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu

Our government House correspondent Ezechukwu Adimoha reports that the deputy Governor Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, the speaker Abia House of Assembly Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa,top government officials,Heads of security formations in the state and other distinguished Nigerians attended the brief ceremony.