By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA — The Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Monday called on the Boko Haram sect and other aggrieved militant groups in the country to accept the dialogue plan offered by the present administration in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

National Secretary of PPA, Comrade Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, who made the call in his goodwill message on the celebration of the 51st Independence anniversary in Abuja, was optimistic that these differences could be resolved through dialogue.

Noting that Nigerian Independence was worth celebrating,  Ameh said: “We have made remarkable strides, especially in our steady march towards democracy and the rule of law.

“There are some successes we have to celebrate and consolidate. To this end, I advise all warring factions to tow the line of peace and tranquillity. Accept the dialogue plan offered by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration because I sincerely believe that these differences can be resolved through dialogue.”

According to him, “we have every reason to celebrate. I agree that at 51, the level of corruption is very high; it is endemic and militating against our growth, it is sad and unfortunate that we have not been able to tackle basic issues such as the provision stable power, quality education and healthcare, good roads, affordable housing and food security commensurable to our level of resources.

“There is so much to do, this is why I enjoined all Nigerians to be more resolute in the fight against corruption, and advised corrupt persons in Nigeria to embrace a new way of life, by embracing accountability, transparency and integrity.

“I urge corrupt officials in Nigeria to have a re-think and embrace a new life since corruption has drawn the nation back too tragically. Corruption and indiscipline has affected us too negatively. It is very destructive.

“Those who are corrupt should have a new focus. It is wrong to amass wealth at the expense of the people because if there is anyone to be congratulated on this year’s 51st anniversary celebration of our Nationhood is the Nigerian people.

“Everybody has accepted that this country would have been greater, greater than the United States of America, Great Britain and China but for corruption. I clearly understand why many Nigerians are frustrated and disappointed about our performance as a nation in the past 51 years.

“There is a wide gap between our potential and our achievement. We have no reason to be poor given our resource endowment, this therefore poses a challenge to every Nigerian to stand and expose corrupt person, so that our children and generation to come will live in Nigeria society of our dreams.

“Pragmatic steps must be taken to inspire growth and prosperity, to recommit ourselves to national development, and work towards actualizing the immense potentials of the nation for a greater tomorrow as it was the wish and vision of the founding fathers.

“Nigeria’s history has not been all obscurity and misfortune; it would be extremely pessimistic to say that Nigeria does not have anything to celebrate. The fact that we have stayed together as a nation despite the Odds are a good reason to celebrate, the fact that we are still running and enjoying the longest stretch of democratic rule since 1999 as evidence that democracy and the rule of law have taken root in the country.

“I urge all Nigerians to join hands to harness the abundant resources with which the Almighty has blessed our nation. Let us re-iterate our firm determination and desire to rebuild Nigeria which will be a pride to all mankind and founding fathers.

“We therefore must throw away sentiment, tribalism and nepotism and put aside religious differences, lets us all join hands with the present administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to achieve this needed change through the transformation Agenda, Nigerian needs this transformation.

“Nigerians should embrace Jonathan’s transformation agenda. “This country is in dire need of transformation, the situation is that 75- percent of the population is living below one dollar per day (poverty line), transformation does not just involve only the president but all Nigerian should come on board and make sure that this highly needed transformation happen now than ever.”