By JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU,  Calabar

As the country marks its 51st Independence anniversary, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has called on all leaders to render selfless service totheir fatherland, saying that the unity of the country is non negotiable.

Imoke in a statement signed by his Special assistant on Media/Chief press secretary, Mr. Omini Oden, said that it will be a shameful thing to the leaders of the country to allow the labours of the fore-fathers to go in vain.

He said that the nationalists of the country had fought for a strong united and self reliant nation, but their efforts in recent times had been confronted by the challenges terrorism, corruption, poverty, illiteracy, religious differences, and power struggle, but advised that the unity of the nation should not be sacrificed on the alter of such differences.

Imoke stressed the need for leaders to channel their resources in building a virile Nigeria in line with global trend that can compete favorably among the comity of nation, adding that what the nation needed was the creation of enabling environment for socio-economic advancement that impact on lives of the people.