By Abuchi Onwumelu
Anambra state Governor, Chief Wiilie Obiano has enjoined Nigerians to reflect soberly at the country’s 55 years of nationhood.
Obiano in an address to mark Nigeria’s 55 years of
Independence in Awka today said the sober reflection became necessary
given that at independence, the country’s founding fathers dreamt of a
country whose greatness would finally announce to the free world the
rise of a super power in black Africa.
It was also the dream of the founding fathers he said of a
strong country whose inherent potentials would outweigh its in-born
socio-cultural inhibitions and whose promise would outshine the teething
problems of nascent nationhood.
Now, he said, 55 years after independence, Nigeria had
survived successive waves of pogroms and a bloody civil war, repeatedly
danced on the edge of the cliff and experienced harrowing moments of
civil disturbances, religious and ethnic violence, wide spread
uncertainly and doubt our corporate future, adding however that the
country is stronger than all her challenges and will survive through it
all.
He nonetheless said his hope in the Nigeria project is restored and that there is much to be hopeful for.
'Although insurgents and violent criminals still prowl the
land, our dreams shall never die. Although we may not always agree with
each other, the basis of our union shall stand the test of unity,' he
said.
The Governor had in the exercise of his prerogative of
mercy granted amnesty to 25 prisoners serving different terms in the
three prisons in the state.