Sit–at–home ordered by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was totally observed in all parts of the South East on the October 1 Independence Day as cities in the zone were deserted. The sympathy sit-at-home was declared by IPOB for people from Southeast not to be part of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration, saying that there was nothing to celebrate.

Apart from the incident in Oboama Nguru in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State where enforcers of the sit-at-home burnt to death a commercial bus driver, people just stayed in their homes. The area witnessed a similar incident on August 9, 2021 when four buses were burnt and three persons killed during the first sit-at-home.

Report has it that the L300 Mitsubishi bus was heading towards Umuahia from Owerri with some passengers on board when they were accosted by the enforcers.

According to an eye witness, the passengers were chased away by the enforcers before setting the bus ablaze, with the driver inside.

The eye witness said: “The bus was heading towards Umuahia from Owerri. They stopped the bus at Ama Well, Oboama Nguru in Abo Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, shot sporadically, chased away the passengers and set the driver and the bus ablaze. “It was terrible and I wonder when this whole thing will end. The way people are being killed in South East is worrisome”.

Unlike the past sit –at –home, most people did not make any attempt to step out, thus grinding economic activities to a halt. Streets in Owerri, Umuahia, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Awka and Abakaliki, Okigwe, Orlu and Nnewi were totally deserted.

In Anambra, the killing of Dr. Chike Akunyili and another medical doctor, Dr. Ezenwa who had a private hospital at Okija, as well as the burning down of the Ajali Police Station put fears in the people with the result that even those who were braving it to come out in the past, could not do so yesterday.

Vanguard

As Nigeria marks its 61 anniversary as an independent nation, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah has called for a collective effort in raising the country to a height of envy in the comity of nations.

According to the Minister, the country has made tremendous efforts in surging on as a nation of common purpose despite obvious drawbacks.

In a congratulatory letter in commemoration of the country’s Independence on Friday, Ogah observed that Nigeria has had a chequered history since its freedom from colonial rule, insisting that the time to leverage on our unifying factors to build a Nigeria of our dream is now.

READ ALSO: Nigeria @61: A Time For National Reflection, Evaluation Is Now, Says Hon. Onuigbo

He said, “As a country, we have had a mixture of positive and negative in our 61 years journey of nationhood. It has been a movement of variegated experiences which has made us even stronger.

“We have a basket of milestones to be thankful for, especially for the peaceful co-existence and unity of the country, the abundant human and material resources that have given us a flavour of uniqueness.

“Thankfully, the administration of the day is making frantic and visible efforts in strengthening to bond of our unity as a country. This can be made more better through the collective contribution of all patriots.

“I, therefore, appeal that we shun destruction and unprovoked killing of fellow citizens. As a people, we will be doing the generations to come a great deal of disservice if we do not lay a legacy of love, tolerance, and patriotism.

“The Independence anniversary avails is opportunity to do right today what we did wrong yesterday for the assurance of a better tomorrow. We must be our brother’s keeper, shun hate and embrace brotherliness.”

Member Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has said the celebration of the country’s 61st Independence celebration is a time to sit and reflect and evaluate the journey so far.

He said this is a practice of wisdom for anyone who wants to evaluate his failure and success at the age of 61.

Rep Onuigbo in a congratulatory message he personally endorsed on Friday while remarking that the country is not a failure expressed optimism that the country will continue to triumph despite the challenges it has passed through.

The lawmaker further noted that it is time to include the youth in the leadership corridor of the country, saying they must be listened to for an enhanced future for the country.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Independence Day: Udensi Calls For Renewed Approach To End Insecurity

He said, “But, Nigeria is not a failure— at least not yet. We have over the past sixty-one years gone through so many challenges. Yet, we have triumphed and will continue to do so.

“Today, we are beset by so many challenges ranging from terrorism, agitations for equity, climate change, unemployment, collapsing infrastructures, and many more.

“As Nigeria clocks 61 today, it is my sincerest wish that as a country, we should no longer push aside the glaring issues that bedevil us while chasing after what is not important. We must think constructively and champion the growth of our country as a people united.

“The future of this country belongs to the youths. We must therefore listen to them and ensure that the path to their dreams and aspirations is what we as leaders toe. Whether we agree to it or not, the truth is that the youths have a clearer idea about how the future they desire can be attained. We must listen to them and not drown out their increasingly loud voices.

“Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! We will continue to work hard to make you a great nation where citizens will be proud of, and foes envious of.”

A foremost Security Expert in Nigeria and Head Interpol Systems Sir Chikwe Udensi has called for a strategic approach in tackling insurgency and other forms of security concerns in the country.

According to Udensi, there is need for government at all levels to reinforce and re-energize security apparatus to find lasting solution to the incessant killings across the nation.

In a chat with newsmen in Abuja on Friday, he noted that a threat to security is a threat to National Development, insisting that Nigeria’s Security Operating System is below the global standard for crime fighting.

He said time to move away from the traditional crime fighting method among the security agencies is now.

READ ALSO: Governor Bello Matatwalle Orders Restoration Telecommunications Services In Zamfara State

He stated that the rising level of insecurity in the country requires drastic security measures like the Procurement of Human and Signal Intelligence, Provision of high tech Operational Security Support services, enhancement of Operational Data exchange services for security agencies, Information Security Control among others.

The Systems Expert who is currently implementing the expansion of the Foremost crime fighting tool in the world called the Interpol i-24/7, advices the government to put in place various policies to ensure effective boarder management as it is vital for the preservation of National Security.

“The border is the first line of defense against Terrorism, I therefore call on various security agencies – NIA, NIS, NCS, NA, NPF – and other sister agencies to work in synergy towards a sustainable security structure. The government of the day only resort to manage the consequences of insecurity, it is pertinent to first of all identify security traits and insecurity factors, then proffer lasting measures to resolve the cause and prevent the occurrence. It is only the living that is concerned about welfare and dividends of democracy”. He said.

He further promised that the successful installation and expansion of the Interpol I-24/7 World class crime fighting tool in various Security agencies across the Nation will greatly enhance the country’s security architecture. While wishing Nigeria a peaceful and happy Independence Day celebration.

Popular saxophonist and afrobeat icon, Seun Kuti, has said that there is nothing to celebrate on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary.

The son of Nigerian music legend, Fela Anikulapo said in a statement on Friday that Nigeria is near collapse as the high level of hunger, insecurity, unemployment and corruption is ‘worrisome’,

He noted that the celebration ought to be a sober reflection and need for Nigerians to reorganize and get involved in the democratic process.

Seun Kuti also called on Nigerians who are of voting age to participate in election process to make the country great again.

READ ALSO: 61st Independence Anniversary: Goodluck Jonathan Urges Nigerians To Be Optimistic

“It is fitting to bring you all warm solidarity greetings as we celebrate the 61st anniversary of our dear nation! Even though there is nothing to celebrate, owing to the near-collapse in the state of our dear nation.

“With the worrisome level of hunger, insecurity, high rate of unemployment, and wanton looting, the celebration of today’s anniversary calls for a sober reflection and the need to re-organise ourselves to get involved in the democratic process with the view to set the nation on the road to recovery,” he noted.

“The decision to get Nigeria working from this moribund and mechanistic level is in our ‘thumbs’ and it is neither in the bombs nor bullets. The Movement of The People has now given every Nigerian of voting age the political platform to chose credible leaders across the 36 States and 774 local government of the federation.”

The musician urged Nigerians to key in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise and get their voters card ahead of the 2023 election.