Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Wednesday called on Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and recommit themselves to building a united, secure and prosperous nation as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence.
Akume said the country’s survival through a civil war, decades of military rule and numerous political and economic challenges demonstrated the resilience of Nigerians and the enduring strength of their belief in the Nigerian project.
Speaking at the 66th Independence Anniversary Lecture at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the SGF said the anniversary should serve not only as a celebration of freedom from colonial rule but also as a moment of reflection, self-renewal and recommitment to the ideals of unity, faith, peace and progress.
The Federal Government had earlier said activities marking the anniversary would provide an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and the country’s journey since independence.
Akume recalled that Nigeria’s founding fathers received the flag of independence 66 years ago with the hope of building one strong and indivisible country from its diverse peoples.
‘By our presence, we honour the sacrifices of our founding fathers who demonstrated courage and faith in our ability to build a strong, united, indivisible nation, despite our differences.
‘We are all living witnesses to the fact that journey has seen our country survive a civil war, decades of military rule, and many trials. Yet through it all, our faith has sustained us and our people continue to demonstrate a strong belief in the Nigerian project’, he said.
He said Nigerians owed it to those who fought for independence, as well as future generations, to build a nation capable of fulfilling its enormous potential.
‘As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us salute those who came before us and laid the foundation of our nation. We owe it to them and to our children – to build a country that lives up to its enormous potentials and promise,’ Akume said.
According to him, the vision should be of a Nigeria where graduates can become employers of labour, farmers can adequately feed their families and sell surpluses, entrepreneurs can grow small businesses into thriving enterprises and every child has access to quality education and healthcare.
Akume said the Independence lecture should therefore serve as ‘a stimulus for us to embark on self-renewal and upliftment’, as well as ‘a call to duty’ for Nigerians to work for the good of the country.
He maintained that shared prosperity remained the government’s ultimate objective, saying economic growth must increasingly translate into jobs, higher incomes and tangible opportunities for citizens.
The SGF said the Tinubu administration had taken difficult economic decisions since assuming office in 2023, including petrol subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms and other fiscal measures, which it considered necessary to restore stability.
He said the government would continue to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy and social protection as part of efforts to ensure that economic growth improves living standards.
Akume cited investments in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kano road, East-West Road, rail, ports and housing, saying the projects were intended to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and link communities to economic opportunities.
He also said the government would continue expanding cheaper transport alternatives, including Compressed Natural Gas, rather than return to the previous petrol subsidy regime.
On agriculture, the SGF said the administration was pursuing increased mechanisation, irrigation, storage and food processing, with the objective of producing and processing more of what Nigerians consume locally.
He said particular attention was also being given to young Nigerians through student loans, technical and vocational education, apprenticeships, digital skills and entrepreneurship programmes.
‘Our young people are not just leaders of tomorrow they are partners in building Nigeria today’, Akume said.
He also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces, police and other security agencies for their sacrifices in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, pledging continued government support through improved equipment, intelligence and coordination.
Akume acknowledged that the journey towards the Nigeria envisioned by its founding fathers would remain challenging but urged citizens not to lose faith.
‘We know the path will not be easy but our goal is clear: shared prosperity for all Nigerians. We will deepen our reforms, keep investing in education, infrastructure and healthcare, and make sure growth leads to real opportunities for everyone’, he said.
Earlier, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the 66th anniversary as an opportunity for Nigerians to look back with gratitude, honestly assess the present and renew their confidence in the country’s future.
Idris said the responsibility of nation-building had passed from one generation to another since independence and was now in the hands of the present generation.
‘Sixty-six years ago, our founding fathers and heroines took up the responsibility of building one nation from our remarkable diversity. They believed that Nigerians, despite our differences, could forge a common destiny.
‘Today, that baton is in our hands’, he added.
Idris said the anniversary theme, ‘From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity’, reflected what the government considered the next stage of the country’s economic journey.
The theme and programme of activities were announced by the Federal Government at the commencement of the 66th anniversary celebrations.
He acknowledged that reforms implemented over the last three years had demanded sacrifice and patience from Nigerians, saying the government’s objective was to ensure that their benefits ultimately reached ordinary citizens.
The minister also urged the media, particularly as the country moves towards another electoral cycle, to promote public discourse based on facts, verification and national cohesion.
‘Political differences are legitimate in a democracy; they must never diminish our common identity as Nigerians’, Idris said.
He added that building the country could not be the responsibility of government alone, urging the private sector, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, academia, the media and citizens to contribute to national development.
‘At 66, Nigeria remains a continuing project. Every generation receives the baton, runs its course and passes it forward.
‘Our responsibility today is to move Nigeria further along the road to prosperity, security and national unity’, the minister said.