Otti To Nigerians At 66: Don’t Give Up, Embrace Citizenship Duties

Says disappointment should not lead to despair; hails security agents, workers, entrepreneurs

UMUAHIA — Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged Nigerians not to give up on the country despite challenges, calling on citizens to embrace duties of citizenship, freedom and vigilance to sustain the gains of independence struggle.

Otti made the call on Wednesday in Umuahia in his address titled “Citizenship, Freedom and Vigilance” to mark 66th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.

He thanked God for the privilege of witnessing another significant day, congratulating Nigerians for joy that comes with freedom which October 1 represents since 1960.

The Governor said demand for self-governance was driven by political elites, but support and commitment of ordinary people gave struggle its truest legitimacy.

“It is therefore fitting that on this remarkable day, we spare a moment in reflection for dreams and expectations that inspired push for self-rule by our founding fathers,” he said.

Otti noted that though Nigeria may not have reached lofty heights envisaged, it would be unfair to say that post-independence years have been without success.

He expressed optimism that country can still rediscover the genius that made it world-beater in early years.

He said perennial struggles with infrastructure, poverty, unemployment, low-factor utilisation, limited access to education and healthcare, and insecurity, should concern every patriotic Nigerian, as less-endowed nations have achieved superior results.

“The agony of seeing millions of young people helplessly abandon homeland in pursuit of opportunities in remote corners of earth does not tell good story of our progress after 66 long years, hundreds of billions of dollars in earnings, and blessing of prodigious human talent,” Otti said.

He said there are grounds for disaffection, but disappointment need not lead to despair, describing Nigerians as optimistic people wired to rise above temporary setbacks.

Otti urged soul-searching, noting that progress cannot be made by excluding selves from conversations of national development.

“If we wish to see different outcome, first order of duty would be to accept that we are all stakeholders in Nigerian project. It does not matter what you do, your nativity, political affiliation, or religious profession, everyone has role to play,” he said.

He said real act of courage is not to take up arms against hapless compatriots, resort to endless criticisms or resign to indifference, but to boldly confront situation headlong using legitimate tools.

According to him, nation-building may not be as complex as imagined, as simple patriotic acts like voting, adding voices to social and political conversations, setting agenda of governance, paying taxes, obeying traffic rules and refusing to litter streets can significantly move needle.

“Country of our dreams can be built by rejecting gains of dishonest endeavors, being diligent in our work, and paying price of excellence. Mediocrity, greed, nepotism, clannishness, and disregard for basic rules of decency cannot open pathway to progress,” he said.

Otti said fruits of yesterday’s struggle can only be sustained by collective vigilance, urging citizens to take nothing for granted or open gates for enemies of freedom.

He admitted that lot has gone wrong since self-governance, including civil war that cost millions of lives, military incursions and mismanaged elections, but noted country has remained on democratic course in last 27 years.

He said superior appeal of democracy is freedom it offers ordinary people to have direct say in who governs them, urging citizens to shake off empty comfort of political liturgy and insist that only best amongst us shall lead.

“Philosophy of hiring best hands for job should apply to every public position. Pursuit of progress shall remain illusion if majority continue to stay away from ballots, sell votes, or vote on premodern sentiments. What becomes of Nigeria in next 66 years will be up to us,” he said.

The Governor saluted security agents fighting insecurity, teachers, health workers, civil servants, artisans, traders, artists, sports people, diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and farmers for contributions to nation-building.

To Ndi Abia, Otti thanked them for unshakable faith in the country and resolute support for his administration, restating his commitment to rapid socio-economic transformation of state.

“Your security and welfare, as Constitution stipulated, shall remain our foremost priority. Together, we shall build systems and institutions that answer to our development aspirations,” he said.