May 30, 2015 – Indigenes of Ogun State in Canada have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and their home Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to urgently strive to turn around Nigeria for good and rekindle the hope of the citizens in civilian administration.
Similarly, they urged other elected political office holders to see the new era in the country as an opportunity to rejig the nation`s economy, education, socio-infrastructural, power and security decay, amongst others, in the country.
“It`s a new dawn in Nigeria with the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and and our governors, and we are indeed happy for this,“ they said.
“As our newly sworn in President, we trust in your ability, commitment and utmost determination to turn around Nigeria for good in the overall interests of the citizenry,” the indigenes under the auspices of Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc, said in a release yesterday.
The release was signed by the association’s President, Chief Femi Shodunke and General Secretary, Mr. Afolabi Bakare.
“Nigerians at home and in diaspora, no doubt, are not happy with the state of affairs in the country, particularly in the areas of economy, unemployment, power and insecurity.
“But, it is our hope that as the captain of Nigeria`s ship you will lead the country into the right direction that all of us would be proud of,“ the Nigerians, who are of Egba and Yewa ethnic groups living in Canada, told Buhari.
They urged the president to look into the diversification of the nation`s economy, to generate abundant revenue from other fully unexploited sectors, like minning and agriculture, instead of dependence mainly on oil.
“It is our fervent belief that alternate revenue generation sector is part of your party`s manifesto and we believe that looking into this would shift focus away from the oil and engender development of other untapped sectors to generate revenue for the country,“they said.
They pleaded with Amosun to consolidate on the gains recorded during his first term and ensure further development of the Gateway State with the sole aim of leaving a lasting legacy that would be a reference point in the annals of the state.
They repeated their earlier plea with the governor to work assiduously during his second term in order to erase the negative impression by some Nigerians that second term often doesn’t record further development, but a licence for office holders to amass wealth.
The Nigerians in diaspora also urged other elected officials to consider their positions as a call to service, particularly to rescue the drifting ship of the nation at this particular point in time.
According to them, it is by so doing that Nigerians can realise the benefits of electing them and subsequently feel the impact of their performance in governance.
They, however, congratulated fellow citizens on the successful conduct of the last general election and the peaceful transition from one civilian government to another.
This time around, according to them, is the appropriately apt for Nigerians to eschew discord, violence and any acts that would cause division, but rather rally round the newly elected officials to engender peace, harmony and prosperity in the country.
“The new government under the apex leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari should provide us greater opportunity to come together as one indivisible and indissoluble nation to make Nigeria great again and for Nigerians – wherever they may be – to be proud of their country,“ the diasporans stressed.
