- All Stakeholders Must Work Conscientiously at the Task of Nation-Building.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has assured Nigerians that the party will continue to work and mobilize for national stability, peaceful coexistence and economic development.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, to commemorate the nation’s 61st independence anniversary, said SDP as a national party that is committed to the promotion of the true interest of Nigeria.
Aiyenigba noted that there is the need for all stakeholders to “resolve to work assiduously at enthroning good leadership at all levels, to engender nobility in our polity and the public service space, ensure good governance, social justice, equity, social inclusion and to build a country that works for all, not withstanding the religious, status and ethnic backgrounds of every citizen.
“We do not have any other country to call our own. We must embrace love and harmony.
“Today, Friday October 1, 2021 marks the 61st anniversary of the momentous occasion of the lowering of the Union Jack by the British government, and the raising of the green-white-green flag, bringing to and end colonial administration and signifying independence for Nigeria as a nation-state. Looking back, there is a need for us to salute the sacrifices of all our leaders, dead and living, and to also commend the commitment of the citizenry in general, for their faith in the sustainability of the Union.
“Really, as a people, we have reasons to roll out the drums to celebrate the date in the annals of our history, particularly the continued existence of the country as one united nation in spite of the many troubled waters we have sailed in and came out of safely, as well as our many high points and great moments. But on the flip side, and considering our prodigious human and natural resource, there is no gainsaying that we could have fared better in tandem with our usual ‘Giant of Africa’ ascription.
“The low points are undeniably many and quite worrisome – chief among which is the rising insecurity and state of despair across the entire national landscape, manifest lack of cohesion, mutual distrust amongst the disparate ethnic nationalities, low standard of living of the mass of our people, infrastructure deficit, and declining status of the country in the comity of nations. Nonetheless, there are high hopes for national retrieval, if all the peoples of Nigeria choose to see one another in the spirit of brotherhood as Nigerians, and conduct themselves as true patriots and commit to working for the betterment of the nation for the common good.
“The Social Democratic Party (SDP), under Dr. Olu Agunloye as National Chairman and leader, seizes the opportunity of this independence anniversary to charge all Nigerians that as we celebrate on this great day, we need to be mindful that the times are tempestuous and the Nigerian situation call for sober reflections on the part of every citizen, the low and high, the leaders and the led.
“To make progress, we must resolve deeply and strongly to act responsibly, do things right and do the right things in all areas of our national life and in our respective spheres of influence.”
Aiyenigba stated that the SDP has a strong conviction that Nigeria shall be great again.
The party called on all citizens to continue to offer more prayers for national stability, while doing their bits.
“Also, the central government has to do all that is necessary to fix the nation’s obvious cracks and structural defects, reverse the slide, work more to guarantee security of lives and property for all, prevent displacements of citizens from their lands, implement right policies to provide economic opportunities for the teeming youths and empowerment for households, and make life truly meaningful for all, thereby building a good Nigerian society and sustainable development. Nigeria shall be great again, deo volente. Let all keep faith.”
