Date: 2010-10-02

Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has expressed hope and a brighter future for Nigeria to fulfill the dreams and aspiration of independence, despite her shortcomings in the last 50 years as an independent nation.

Dr Saraki gave the assurance at the weekend during the 50 years of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary celebration, which attracted eminent dignitaries from far and near to the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin.

The Governor, who observed that our enormous potentials as an independent nation in the past 50 years have not been fully realized, noted that Nigeria had overcome a lot of challenges which called for celebration.

His words: "We have fought three years of civil war and won the battle to keep our country as one. We have survived several military coups and fought the battle to return our country to democracy. Even as I reflect on all that we should have achieved in the last 50 years; I see the cup of country as half full, rather than half empty.

He added: "And as I contemplate the next 50 years, I bring you a message of hope. I believe if we start today to do the right thing, with God on our side, we can make the next 50 years count for us and for our children".

According to him, "In the next 50 years, maternal and infant mortality would have become a distant history. Quality education would have opened up real opportunities for every one of our citizens to be the best they can be. The economy would flourish and our State and our country would prosper.

All these would happen because of what we have done today in health, in education, in infrastructure and the economy. These children here would be proud inheritors of the banners of our struggle and they would march on to build a State and a country, even greater than they met".

Expressing appreciation to all the past heroes of Nigeria’s independence who labored for freedom, Dr Saraki recalled what the journey was at the inception of his administration in 2003 and the fruits which his almost eight years’ tenure had produced for the people of the State.

Recounting the experiences of the past before 2003, the governor said, was necessary so that we all can realize that with a good government, real changes are possible, adding that even though the challenges we may face may be difficult, they are still not insurmountable.

Saraki, who made specific reference to his achievements in the areas of road development, power, aviation and transportation, agriculture, health, education, civil service reform and water supply, disclosed that all these have helped to change the status of the state from what it used to be prior to 2003.

He also recognized the contributions of several prominent citizens of the State who stood tall among the great heroes of our country in the areas of politics, judiciary, sports, scholarship and entertainment, among others, saying the story of the last 50 years would be incomplete without according them due recognition.

Dr Saraki thanked all Kwarans for giving him the opportunity to serve them, admitting that "there cannot be a greater honour done to a man than an opportunity to serve his people and improve their condition".

He, however, restated his commitment to continue to serve his people even at the end of his tenure to improve the State and our people, assuring that whoever becomes the next Governor would be someone who would not set the State back to the past that we have conquered and primarily loyal to the people and the progress we have made together in the last seven years
 

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
02/10/2010