Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the country was better off as a single entity and that working together would achieve far more.
He, on the other hand, advised Nigerians to stand firm against any attempts to divide them.
Bello made this known in his 61st Independence Day Anniversary message to FCT residents, in which he urged citizens to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and remain steady on the side of unity, peace, and the country’s collective growth.
While congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari on his exemplary leadership at this critical juncture in the country’s history, the Minister stated that the President’s distinct character and personality have done much to instill hope in Nigerians for a brighter future as a strong, virile, and indivisible nation.
Bello also urged locals to remember the battles of Nigeria’s freedom heroes, both past and present leaders, who have made significant sacrifices over the years to get the country this far.
He also asked locals to take use of the opportunity offered by the independence anniversary celebration to reflect on how far they had come as a people in their effort to establish a strong, virile, and united country.
The Minister stated that the FCT was formed on a platform of Nigerian unity, as a place where all Nigerians may call home, and that the Administration has worked hard to create a Territory that reflects all Nigerians’ collective ideals.
According to him; “while we have largely succeeded in building a beautiful, world class city, thanks to the efforts of thousands of Nigerians over the years, the equally important task of forging a common identity for our people is still work in progress”.
“It is worthy to mention once again, that there now exists a generation of Nigerians from all parts of the country who truly know no other home but the FCT, having been born, schooled, are married and raising families of their own here in the Nation’s capital” he said.
“The dreams of our founding fathers are truly alive in these residents and we should constantly remind ourselves that we are better off together and will achieve much more as a united people and consequently, should resist all efforts to cause divisions within our ranks”.
He further reminded residents that they have an obligation to uphold the dreams of the founding fathers to truly make Abuja the symbol of Nigeria’s unity
On security, the Minister paid tribute to the officers and men of all the security agencies who daily confront security challenges in the FCT with some paying the highest price with their lives. He therefore called on FCT residents to continue to aid them in their work by providing vital information when they feel the need to do so.
The Minister also reminded FCT residents that the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic was far from over, advising them to seize every available opportunity to get vaccinated in addition to abiding by other non- pharmaceutical health guidelines.
While reiterating the Administration’s determination to ensure compliance on the provisions of the Abuja Masterplan, the Minister reiterated its commitment to ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of all residents.
Bello said, “As we roll out the drums in celebration today, let us be encouraged that the best of our country still lies ahead of us and we should work hard together at meeting our collective aspirations”,
