By Gbenga Oke
Abuja—Former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Stephen Lawani has congratulated Nigerians on the nation’s 56th independence anniversary, describing it as a major milestone.
Lawani, who spoke in Abuja also said the harsh economic situation should not stop Nigerians from celebrating and reflecting on the significance of the independence.

He said: “I think we must congratulate ourselves for Nigeria’s survival despite the challenges from the dawn of independence to this very day. I know it could have been better but we must also thank God that Nigeria is still together as one country and working for a common goal. Therefore, a day like this brings hope and also remind us of our tortuous journey to nationhood.

“It is imperative for us to reminisce today on the heroic and patriotic pre-independence struggles of our founding fathers, the Civil War, the oil boom, the missed opportunities and the current economic challenges facing us.

“Nigerians must not despair, even in the midst of all the myriad of challenges because we have what it takes to be great. Nigeria is hugely blessed in both human and material resources and we are too important to fail. If one out of every five black persons in the world is a Nigerian, then we cannot afford not to succeed. We must reinvent ourselves for future generations.”