MIXED REACTIONS AS RESIDENTS OF ANAMBRA REACT TO NIGERIA’S 59TH INDEPENDENCE

As Nigeria commemorates her 59th Independence anniversary, some residents of Anambra State have called for more prayers for those in leadership positions in the country.

According to them, though the economy of the nation has not been very progressive, the citizens have every reason to celebrate the country as one indivisible entity.

In this report, our correspondent brings us reactions of some people on the celebration.

First October every year is celebrated in Nigeria as a day she got her freedom from the colonial masters (Britain) and became independent.

The country no doubt has made tremendous achievements in all the facets of life, including human and capital development.

One of the respondents and President General of Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, Chief Kenneth Meze, expressed the hope that the economy would improve for good, despite the difficulties faced at the present time.

However, another respondent, Mr. Austin Nwabunwanne, decried the poor economic realities on ground.

Mr. Nwabunwanne expressed the fear that the future generation might face tougher challenges if urgent steps were not taken by the leaders to address certain issues bothering the minds of the people.

Mr. Nwabunwanne said the only way out was for political office holders to come up with better policies and programmes that would enhance the development of the country.

For a human rights activist, Comrade Obi Ochije, the government must among other things, work hard to sustain the unity of this country through restructuring, and declaring state of emergency in critical development sectors including health, education, job creation and agriculture.

Comrade Ochije also harped on the need for a review of the nation’s electoral law with the aim of introducing electronic voting, which would make people’s vote to count and in turn deepen the nation’s democracy.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, called on public office holders to use public fund to better the lives of the people they represented at all levels.

Other respondents joined their voices in thanking God for keeping Nigeria as one entity while praying and hoping for a better and improved economic policies as well as programmes that would enhance their living conditions.

UCHE NDEKE