Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has sought collective action by all Nigerians to salvage the country.
Soludo stated this on Sunday when he joined thousands of celebrants to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka.
The Independence Day Service, also known as the Interdenominational Church Service, is an annual event that brings together Nigerians of all faiths to pray for the country.
The Governor, in his remarks, thanked the organisers of the event, stressing the need for continued prayers for the nation and its leaders.
“Today’s service is a reminder that we’re first and foremost citizens of Nigeria, and we all have a role to play in building a strong and prosperous nation. Let us continue to pray for our leaders and the country at large,” he said.
“Today is thanksgiving in commemoration of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. Your Grace, I appreciate your message. It’s very well taken. We have important take homes.
“You admonished us that we had a glorious past before crude oil came. The message that Nigeria will be better or not depends on us. It is based on this that I bring you a message of collective responsibility.
“Yearly, it appears that Nigeria’s past is always more glorious than our today.”
Borrowing from the late Sunny Okosun’s song forty years ago, the Governor enjoined the congregation; “Let’s save Nigeria, so Nigeria won’t die.”
“It’s good to complain but better to do something about a bad situation. If you’re living in an underdeveloped country, you must be multi-tasking – get a farm or something else.
The governor called on the clergy to use the power of the pulpit to mobilise the people to action.
“On this 64th anniversary, we must emphasize that as a government, here on earth, we must all do the work of God,” the governor stated.
The governor also refreshed the people on his administration’s achievements and assured them of his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of the state.
He recalled that his government recently announced a free education policy for senior secondary students in public schools as well as the commencement of the minimum wage by October.
“Last Thursday at the Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, we announced that by October, we’ll start paying the minimum wage in Anambra. We also announced the extension of free qualitative education to senior secondary students in public schools in Anambra state.
“For too long, the government hasn’t paid attention to the poor. We’re doing so to leave no one behind. We’ll also continue to subsidize returned mission schools.
“It costs us over 1 billion naira, monthly. It helps the church in moderating the money they charge in their own schools
“We’re also working to ensure that 77 communities in Anambra who don’t have public schools do so. We’re now working to ensure that our children must have a choice. It happened in the 70s, but we must go back to it, “Soludo added.
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