As Nigeria marks its 63rd year of independence, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the relentless spirit and determination of Nigerians amidst the prevailing economic difficulties. He encouraged the citizens to persist in their prayers and collective efforts to surmount the nation’s economic hurdles.
Reflecting on the nation’s journey, Obaseki underscored the bravery, tenacity, and sacrifices of the people, as well as the visionary endeavors of the founding fathers in freeing the country from colonial rule and steering it towards progress.
Recognizing the current challenges in the economy, security, politics, and ethnicity, the Governor lauded the unyielding spirit of the people who strive daily to earn a living, particularly in the face of economic realities.
He expressed, “My dear good people of Edo State, I am thrilled to celebrate the 63rd Independence anniversary of our beloved country, Nigeria, with you. Today is a day of reflection; a moment to pause and contemplate our shared journey as a people and nation, celebrate our accomplishments, recognize our challenges, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a more united, progressive, and prosperous Nigeria.
“Our narrative is one of courage, resilience, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of a people. Our founding fathers, motivated by a vision of unity and mutual prosperity, worked tirelessly to establish the foundation of our beloved nation, freeing us from the chains of colonialism and initiating our long march towards nationhood and greatness.”
“Despite the successes recorded in these past 63 years, we continue to grapple with numerous challenges brought about by economic, security, political, and ethnic pressures. However, our enduring faith and belief in the unity and progress of our country have persisted, keeping us together as one nation.
“I must applaud the determined and tireless spirit of our people, who, despite many formidable difficulties, continue to strive daily to earn a living, especially amid the current economic realities.
“As a government, we are cognizant of the severe economic difficulties that our people currently face, which have imposed hardship and suffering on the people, particularly the poor and vulnerable.”
“We are taking decisive steps as a subnational, initiating and implementing nuanced policies and programs to respond to the recent fuel subsidy removal policy by the Federal Government and, as much as possible, mitigate its impact on our people in Edo State.
“We have launched a free transport service for passengers on all routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Service Limited (ECTS), among many support programs that the Edo State Government has put in place to alleviate the challenges, sufferings, and high cost of living faced by Edo people as a result of the subsidy removal and economic headwinds.
“We are pleased with the impact of this initiative, which covers 13 intra-city routes and several intercity routes daily, covering towns and villages within the state’s three senatorial districts. Over 307,908 residents have benefited from the scheme in the first two weeks of the palliative program, while over 1,527,000 residents are projected to benefit in the initial two months of the free transport initiative.”
“We have initiated a 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places in the state to provide unlimited internet access to workers and other residents to enable them to work effectively and efficiently from selected public spaces.
“This is in addition to other far-reaching reforms and initiatives to stimulate economic growth and enhance the quality of life of our people, ensuring they are equipped to confront the challenges that lie ahead.”
“As we celebrate our 63rd Independence today, I urge all Edo people and Nigerians to stand united, irrespective of our political, tribal, ideological, and religious differences, and work together towards building a more prosperous and progressive Edo State and Nigeria.
“We must also persist in our prayers for the unity, peace, and progress of our beloved nation. Together, we can surmount our current socio-economic challenges and steer our country towards sustainable economic growth and development, ensuring that the labor of our heroes’ past is indeed not in vain.”
