Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has called on Nigerians to join hands and work in harmony for the progress of the country.
In a statement issued to mark her 70th birthday, Ojikutu, who is the first elected female deputy governor in Nigeria, said while she was growing up, she dreamt of a country destined to be great in all ramifications.
Several decades later, she said Nigeria is still contending with what ordinarily should be considered as teething challenges of nationhood such ethnic rivalry, religious tension, primitive accumulation of wealth, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and corruption.
Going down the memory lane, Ojikutu said Nigeria, with all her God given human and natural resources, ought to have been among the league of great countries, not only in Africa but globally.
Noting that it was not too late for the country to retrace her steps for the leaders to return to the path of righteousness, the former deputy governor of Lagos State in the aborted Third Republic said she was confident that the nation would regain her lost glory, but added that leaders at all levels must return to God.
Her statement reads: “As I celebrate my 70th birthday anniversary today, I look forward to Nigeria of my dream; Nigeria where value system is upheld as our irreducible minimum standard. Nigeria where corruption is reduced to the barest minimum.
“Nigeria where our students studying abroad will be glad to return to the country after completing their courses and will only travel abroad for tourism and to fulfill their professional callings when their expertise is needed.
“Nigeria where there is no ethnic rivalry/tension, nor religious upheavals. I want to see Nigeria restored to her lost glory. That I hope to see before I depart to join my maker. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”