By Saby Elemba, Owerri
As if only governors see bright future for Nigeria, or they see better from government houses, Gov Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has joined the list of governors seeing hope for Nigeria where gloom seems to rule the firmament.
Uzodinma said that the brightest days of Nigeria lie ahead and as such, solicited for collective prayers for the country and its leaders to enable the dream of the nation to materialize.
Uzodinma spoke to the congregation at the end of the Independence Day Anniversary Church Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, where he expressed thanks to God for giving Nigerians another opportunity to celebrate their Independence in the face of relative peace and unity, noting that it is a sign that ,”Nigeria is a nation whose God is Lord.’’
Gov Uzodinma expressed happiness that despite all the perceived challenges from different parts of the country, ‘’Nigeria has not been confronted with full blown war.’’
According to him, Nigerians have three good reasons to praise God because after 64 years of Independence, God has allowed the country to make progress. He also said there is the gift of life for Nigerians to stay together as brothers and sisters and that the country has experienced relative prevailing peace despite all challenges.
Therefore, he has urged Nigerians to praise God in all circumstances and move away from “lamentation to celebration and from dismay to hope.”
Governor Uzodinma has also commended the people of Nigeria for appreciating the work the church is doing for the nation and implored the church leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and Imo State.
“The past and present leadership may have fallen short of expectations of the people, yet there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel” , called for prayers for the nation so as to continue to remain peaceful and united.
Governor Uzodinma however urged the citizens to interrogate their consciences and attitude when it comes to the destruction of government property, killing of security agents and frustrating government policies, noting that “patriotism and nationhood abhor all that.”
On the request of Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, through his representative, regarding the payment of gratuities, the governor promised to continue with the payment but implored the bishop and his lieutenants to pray that those involved in despicable and fraudulent behaviour which hurt the seamless verification exercise on gratuity should refrain from such.
The bishop had earlier said that God is with Nigerians, having kept us together as a nation despite all challenges. “it is not a surprise that Nigeria has remained one,” noting that “the journey is not easy but with God tomorrow will be better”, he said.
While wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Celebration, the Archbishop whose message was read by the reverend, Gerald Njoku, the director of Church and Society commended the governor and the government of Imo State for “maintaining peace, fighting insecurity and embarking on infrastructural development as well as engaging the Eastern Waste Management that has created jobs and established recycling plants.”
He also thanked the Governor for adding 3,000 more workers whose salaries were suspended at the beginning of the administration into the payroll and for the timely payment of their salaries.
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