Don’t support protests by unknown people, Imo Governor Uzodinma advises youths
The Governor of Imo State and Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinmma, has told Nigerian youth to desist from supporting the much-touted August 1 protest which is being promoted by unknown persons.
Delivering a public lecture on Thursday at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos, Governor Uzodinmma said the youths should not be aggrieved by the past but look at the current policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration which is engendering hope and prosperity.
He spoke on the topic “Where Are the Nigerians? A Discourse on Patriotism and Citizenship.”
The governor who commissioned a study on patriotism and presented the report in his paper said the results of the survey showed a worrisome decline in a feeling of patriotism among Nigerians.
However, Nigerians still love their country, though many point out they cannot die for her.
According to him, the nation is facing a variety of threats that strike at the heart of patriotism like political challenges, inept leadership corruption, inequality, etc.
“These issues have created a crisis of patriotism in our nation. They have led many to question their faith in Nigeria and to doubt the promise of our great country, Nigeria,” he said.
Governor Uzodinmma said the country needs a renewal of our national spirit, a re-commitment to the ideals that bind us together as one nation, while commending President Tinubu for bringing back the old national anthem which he believes speaks to these values.
He said, however, that “the sweet lyrics of an anthem, the soothing words of a pledge, the bright colours of a flag and the wishes of our forebears will not be enough. Accountability, integrity and purposeful leadership must be at the forefront of our efforts if we must achieve the desired results.”
The governor said President Tinubu is on track to rebuild Nigeria. “Recent reports from Price Waterhouse Coopers indicate that some of the desired positive economic changes have begun to emerge from the reform policies of the Federal Government.”
The lecture was attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and his counterpart part from Ekiti State, Chief Biodun Oyebanji, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and many top traditional rulers including Dr. Edmund Dakoru from the Niger Delta.
While welcoming Uzodinmma to the lecture, Governor Sanwo-olu thanked him for strengthening the partnership and relationship between their two states.
The Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olakunle Agbebi, SAN, also commended Uzodinmma for accepting to give the lecture.
