Former director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to count their blessings as the nation marks its 64th Independence Anniversary on Oct. 1.

Mr Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this statement on Sunday during an interview with journalists in Enugu.

He stated that the occasion called for sober reflection, notwithstanding the prevailing socioeconomic realities in the country.

According to him, despite the economic challenges, Nigerians still have much to celebrate.

“I was five years old by Independence in 1960; and it is good when we introspectively look inward and count our blessings.

“Among such blessings is a united country; a burgeoning population dotted especially with youth’s demographic advantage, more universities, tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools, more hospitals, roads, and railways, among others.

“I honestly thank Almighty God,” he said.

Mr Okechukwu noted that Nigeria was on the threshold of an era when “policies of public interest and common good will triumph over selfish policies of planlessness.”

He described Nigerians as good followers, adding that, in no distant time, things would change for the better.

“My take, with due respect to our leaders, is that our previous leaderships had good intentions but lacked the political will to commit class suicide.

“For without class suicide, how can leadership utilize our abundant human and material resources to lift millions out of poverty and effectively ignite Nigeria’s rapid revitalisation?” he asked rhetorically.

The federal government had declared Tuesday, Oct. 1, a public holiday to mark the nation’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.

The government also urged Nigerians to meditate, pray, and, if possible, fast for the turnaround of the nation’s fortunes.

(NAN)