The director-general of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Yusuf Yakub, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th independence anniversary.

Mr Yakub sent his congratulatory message to Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu on Independence Day on Wednesday.

He said that 66 years after attaining independence on October 1, 1960, Nigeria remained a nation of immense promise, remarkable resilience and enormous potential.

According to him, exactly 66 years ago, our nation opened a new page in the annals of our historic evolution as a people and a nation-state.

“The journey has been a long one and has been replete with all shades of experience. Though the journey as an independent nation has not been without challenges, the Nigerian spirit of perseverance, enterprise and hope has remained unbroken,” he said.

Mr Yakub urged Nigerians to reflect on the vision and sacrifices of the founding fathers, like Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

“Their different perspectives were united by a common aspiration for a prosperous and independent Nigeria. Their legacy places a responsibility on every generation of Nigerians to preserve the unity, sovereignty and democratic values of our country,” he said.

As the country approaches another general election, the NTAC boss appealed to politicians, political parties, candidates, supporters, community leaders, religious leaders and especially youths to make peace their collective priority.

“Elections will come and go, political offices will change hands, and political disagreements will inevitably arise. Nigeria, however, will remain. We must never allow political differences to destroy the bonds that hold us together as one people,” he said.

Mr Yakub called for civility, tolerance and respect for the rights and dignity of fellow citizens. He urged Nigerians to reject violence, hate speech, ethnic and religious incitement, misinformation and every act capable of threatening national cohesion.

“Our democracy must be an instrument for resolving differences, not a reason for creating enemies,” he said.

The NTAC boss also commended Mr Tinubu for the courage with which his administration has pursued economic and structural reforms in taxation, fiscal management, infrastructure, energy, education, agriculture and investment.

He said that such reforms often came with challenges and sacrifices. He expressed optimism that with prudent implementation and sustained attention to citizens’ welfare, the gains would translate into improved opportunities and better quality of life.

Mr Yakub said under his leadership, NTAC remained proud of its modest contribution to Nigeria’s international image and foreign policy objectives.

He cited the deployment of Nigerian professionals to partner countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific in the spirit of South-South cooperation as one such contribution by NTAC. He said the corps would continue to achieve more in line with Mr Tinubu’s 4-D Foreign Policy framework.

“Let us preserve our unity, protect our democracy, respect one another, give peace a chance and remain confident in the immense possibilities that lie ahead for our great nation,” he said.

(NAN)