1st October, 2014
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has stated that Nigeria can achieve the set Vision 20: 2020 despite the challenges facing the country as a nation. “Nigeria’s hope to become one of the twenty most developed economies in the world in the year 2020 could be said to be realistic and achievable considering the fact that it is already one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world,” he said.
The governor, in his address on Wednesday at the 54th National Day Celebration held at MKO Abiola International stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, hinged his hope on the fact that Nigeria was already adjudged one of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world.
Amosun however, enjoined all the citizens to remain supportive of the government and contribute their quotas to the task of nation building, stressing that the ability to surmount all the present challenges confronting the nation would lead her to her greatness.
The governor also tasked the nation leaders to be accountable to Nigerian masses in whatever they are doing and ensure that the nation’s economic growth reflected in the living standard of Nigerians, particularly, those at the grassroots.
“We have been told that ours is the fastest growing economy in Africa and so I am encouraged that we are on track concerning the vision. Though, the Nigeria government is facing its own challenges; yet, we must remain united as a nation and re-dedicate ourselves to national development.
“The truth, however is that this newly advertised growth has not reflected in the standard of living and / or the per capital income of the average Nigerian. A growing economy should be able to provide for the growth of not just the public sector and big industries, but also, the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This will go a long way in boosting provision of job opportunities; alleviating poverty; ensuring food security; stemming insecurity and criminal tendencies induced by hunger.
“We are still grappling with indexes of low income per head; high degree of illiteracy; maternal and infant mortality; low level of savings and investments and, a high dependency on importation of goods and services,” Amosun posited.
The governor who differed from the position of the All Progressives Congress, APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the celebration of the anniversary, called for unity and total re-dedication to nation building by all Nigerians for the achievement of the objective.
“54 years down history lane, we have gone through various challenges and achieved a lot as a nation and people. We survived three (3) years of Civil war. We have been able to transit from a long period of military rule to a democracy; though, this new system of government is facing its own challenges; yet, we remain united as a nation and our diversity has remained our strength. If, for this alone, we have cause to celebrate.
“On this note, as good citizens of this great nation, all hands must be on deck to see that Nigeria remains a country to be reckoned with among the comity of nations. This will invariably help us in building a country with strong democratic principle, united, secure, stable, economically prosperous nation”.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun, however commented on the abducted Chibok girls, which he said, “they would have been celebrating with us in freedom and not in captivity as they are now”.
“Today however reminds us of the need to further appreciate the doggedness and determination of our founding fathers like Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo; Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe; Late Herbert Macaulay; Late Sir Ahmadu Bello;
Late Tafawa Balewa and, of course, Late Chief Anthony Enahoro , and a host of others who mid-wived the birth of this new Nigeria,” the governor stated.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and stability of the country in order to achieve the lofty ideals of our founding fathers.
In his goodwill message to the good people of the state today on the occasion of Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary, Daniel, through his Media aide, Ayo Giwa called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan towards achieving common goal.
“All the challenges facing us as a nation are surmountable, if we all put our differences behind us, come together and work for the progress of the country,” the statement read.