Soludo urges unity, resilience at Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary - Punch Newspapers

Photos of the governor addressing the citizens during the Independence Day celebration in Awka. Photo: Ikenna Obianeri

The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has called on Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices, resilience and indomitable spirit of the country’s founding fathers and remain united in the face of current challenges, despite religious, tribal and ethnic differences. Soludo urged citizens to remain optimistic, emphasising that the difficult economic reforms initiated by the current administration were necessary interventions to save the country from deep-seated fiscal distortions. The governor made the call during Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day anniversary celebration held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Thursday. Soludo, who read the presidential message reflecting on the nation’s journey since October 1, 1960, highlighted the resilience of Nigerians in ensuring that the country remained united. He assured residents that his administration would not relent in protecting lives and property while acknowledging the contributions of various professionals, from farmers and traders to teachers and entrepreneurs, saying their efforts had continued to sustain the country through decades of trials and triumphs.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Comparing the current situation with the economic mistakes of previous administrations, the governor said the tough choices made over the past three and a half years had successfully arrested economic decline, restored stability and stimulated growth exceeding four per cent in 2026. According to him, the nation had reached a turning point, marking a shift from emergency economic stabilisation, with the central objective moving forward being a transition from structural reform to achieving shared and widespread prosperity. He said, “We must appreciate the resilience and indomitable spirit of the country’s founding fathers and that of other Nigerians – from farmers and traders to teachers and entrepreneurs – who continue to sustain the country through decades of trials and triumphs. “The difficult economic reforms initiated by the current administration were necessary interventions to save the country from deep-seated fiscal distortions. Rivers assembly received constituency project funds during emergency rule — Lawmaker Nigeria @ 66: Aiyedatiwa calls for joint efforts on nation building Tinubu healthy, fit to serve beyond 2027 — PDP chieftain Showunmi “The tough choices made over the past three and a half years have successfully arrested economic decline, restored stability, and stimulated growth exceeding four per cent this year. “The country has reached a turning point. The central objective moving forward is transitioning from structural reform to achieving shared and widespread prosperity.” According to him, the key focus areas include lowering the cost of living by reducing production and transportation expenses, boosting agricultural output through mechanised farming and dry-season irrigation, and expanding critical infrastructure such as roads, railways and ports to connect farms and markets nationwide. He assured residents that his administration would not relent in protecting lives and property, adding that the safety of every citizen, in the city and in the village, remained a priority. “Today is special – Nigeria is 66, a new month is here, and we have just entered the last quarter of the year. Three milestones in one day remind us that time is moving, and we must make every moment count. “At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. We have had our trials and our triumphs, but we remain a resilient, hopeful and blessed nation. The best of Nigeria is still ahead of us. “As we step into October and the final lap of 2026, I urge us to stay united, stay hopeful, and stay committed to building the Anambra of our dreams and the Nigeria we all desire. “Happy New Month, Happy Independence Anniversary, and may this last quarter bring us peace, progress and prosperity. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Soludo added. The governor delivered the national address on behalf of President Bola Tinubu before a gathering comprising civil servants, security personnel, civil society groups and government officials, among others. Ikenna Obianeri Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism

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