Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his 2024 Independence Day goodwill message, urged Nigerians to remain optimistic and resilient despite the country’s current challenges.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in economic growth and national unity.
However, he also recognized the significant hurdles ahead, particularly in security, economic growth, national cohesion, and infrastructure development.
Jonathan emphasized the importance of strengthening institutions and fostering a democratic culture to ensure peaceful, transparent, and fair elections, which he believes is the foundation for good governance, sustainable democracy, national unity, and peaceful coexistence.
The former president stressed the need for Nigeria to recommit to the principles of justice, equity, and inclusion, harnessing its diversity and tapping into its youth’s potential to leverage natural resources for the benefit of all.
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to stay committed to the nation’s greatness, working together with a common purpose, zeal, and love for one another to overcome challenges and build a prosperous nation where every citizen can thrive.
He said:
“We have recorded perceptible growth in our economy and our gross domestic products (GDP). We have continued to sustain our unity and belief in the social fabric of our nation.
“However, we still face significant challenges that test our resolve and resilience as a people. These border on our inability to meet our goals and expectations on security, economic growth, national cohesion and general infrastructure development.
“For us to deepen the roots of our democracy and foster inclusive economic growth, we must strengthen our institutions and develop a good democratic culture that will support peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.
“This is the basis for good governance, sustainable democracy, national unity and peaceful coexistence.
“As a nation, we must recommit to the principles of justice, equity and inclusion. We must harness our diversity, tap into our youth’s potential, and leverage our natural resources for the benefit of all.
“As we mark this important day, I encourage Nigerians to remain optimistic, resilient, and committed to our nation’s greatness, despite the odds.
“With a common purpose, zeal and love for one another, we can overcome our challenges and build a prosperous nation of our collective dreams, where every citizen has equal opportunities to thrive.”
