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As the country celebrates its 59th Independence Day Anniversary, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State Chapter, has called on Nigerians to grow beyond ethnic war songs, urging ethnic associations and groups beating war drums to put a halt to it.
A statement signed on Monday by the association’s Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye said for Nigeria to have remained one indivisible nation for 59 years despite all the challenges that have been confronting her as a multiethnic nation, he said “it not only deserves to be celebrated but also calls for thanksgiving to God Almighty.”
His words: “The Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON), Oyo State chapter is delighted to join millions of patriotic Nigerians all over the world to wish the country and her citizenry happy 59th Independence Day Celebration.
“At 59, Nigeria as a nation and Nigerians as a people should begin to see the unity of the country as a development that has become indelible, which should also encourage the citizenry to think less about tribal and religious differences, and think more about the harmony and progress of the nation.”
The ALGON boss stated that the quest for sovereignty by some zonal or ethnic groups should be dropped, saying such tendencies cannot contribute to the unity, development and prosperity of the nation.
He said:”Leaders should always strive to ensure economic prosperity, conducive and secured environment for people to unleash their potentials, especially at the grassroot level. Many of these ethnic and religious problems are products of economic tensions. What is expected is that all hands should be on deck to build a Nigeria of our collective dream where freedom, peace and unity abound and where the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain.”
The Chairmen said it is their belief and hope that the present administration in the state will use the occasion of the Independence Day celebration to strengthen democracy, rule of law and good governance, especially at the grassroot.
“The mood on the struggles and sacrifices of our heroes past and present who fought for the nation’s independence and democracy on the foundation of rule of law and supremacy of the the people’s will should not be in vain.
“The governor should quickly retrace its dangerous footsteps at undermining grassroots democracy, rule of law and good government in Oyo State.
The governor should remove his grip hold on local government as a third tier of government in Nigeria.
“It is also important that Nigerians leverage on the 59th Independence Day event to pray for the leadership of the nation at the moment and the leadership at the state levels, and also pray that the lofty desire of President Mohammadu Buhari to rid Nigeria of corruption should produce the needed result,”he added