Rivers State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April elections, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has congratulated Nigeria on her 55th birthday.
Peterside, who described Nigeria as a country currently experiencing resounding changes on account of a focused leadership, praised the founding fathers of the nation for their sacrifice and commitment through the colonial days to the dawn of independence.
He stated Nigerians have every reason to celebrate, having experienced more than 16 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and survived a civil war that had threatened their unity.
He said: “Birthdays are seasons for stock-taking. As we mark our independence anniversary, we must give gratitude to God for creating and sustaining this unique edifice called Nigeria.
“We have come a long way, no doubt; but we have also surmounted huge obstacles on our tortuous path to nationhood since our independence in 1960. Apart from other accomplishments, the fact that we survived a civil war is a major achievement. Today, we speak of democratic values and a thriving democracy that is healthy and threading a purposeful path.
“But, it could still have been better, given our endowments, both human and material. For many years, our hopes for a great nation were dashed by the challenge of leadership, particularly at the highest level. The last six years was particularly harrowing for many Nigerians who witnessed the faltering and diminishing policies and actions of that last regime.”