Aniefiok Christopher
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have felicitated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging citizens to embrace love, unity and renewed faith in Nigeria’s future.
Akpabio, who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, in a statement issued to journalists Wednesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, described Nigeria as “our destiny, our duty, our future.”
He also felicitated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians at home and at abroad, saying the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate the country’s nationhood and the enduring promise of independence.
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“On behalf of the Senate, the 10th National Assembly and my family, I extend warm felicitations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Nigerians everywhere on our 66th Independence Anniversary,” Akpabio said.
“Today, we celebrate the gift of nationhood and the enduring promise of our beloved country.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since independence, the Senate President said the raising of the national flag 66 years ago symbolised the hopes of millions of Nigerians for freedom, self-government and the ability to shape the nation’s destiny.
He paid tribute to the country’s founding fathers and generations of Nigerians whose courage, labour and sacrifice contributed to the nation’s development.
According to Akpabio, Nigeria’s journey has been marked by “triumphs and trials, seasons of confidence and moments of uncertainty,” but Nigerians have continued to demonstrate resilience despite the challenges.
“Yet through them all, Nigerians have continued to strive, create, serve and believe. We celebrate that resilience today: the strength of a people whose hopes have survived every storm,” he said.
Akpabio highlighted the contributions of Nigerians across different sectors, noting that the Nigerian spirit could be found in farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs and young people pursuing their dreams.
He described the country’s cultural diversity, music, enterprise and the achievements of Nigerians around the world as expressions of the national spirit.
“Our diversity enriches this inheritance. Across languages, cultures and faiths, we belong to one national family,” he said.
The Senate President urged Nigerians to use the anniversary to renew their commitment to one another, stressing the importance of peace and unity in building the country’s future.
“Let this anniversary renew our affection for one another and remind us that the green-white-green shelters us all. The peace we preserve together is the foundation of the future we seek,” he added.
Akpabio also commended members of the Armed Forces and security agencies for their service to the country, particularly those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He expressed gratitude to the families of fallen security personnel, saying their sacrifices had given “solemn meaning to the freedom and unity we celebrate.”
The Senate President further assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to support President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to strengthen the country and improve citizens’ lives.
“As President Tinubu leads our country through this chapter, the National Assembly remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen our nation and improve our people’s lives,” he said.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to mark the anniversary with a renewed sense of responsibility and commitment to the nation.
“Independence is an inheritance renewed by every generation. Let us celebrate with grateful hearts, extend hands of friendship and keep faith with the possibilities before us,” he said.
“Our past gives us perspective, our present gives us responsibility, and our future gives us purpose. Together, let us carry its promise into the future.”
He concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed for the nation’s leaders, citizens and the continued unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Oluremi also felicitates Nigerians
In the same vein, Mrs Tinubu has urged Nigerians to strengthen national unity, promote peace and embrace love for the country during the celebration of its 66th Independence Anniversary.
In a goodwill message marking the anniversary on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the First Lady reflected on Nigeria’s journey since independence in 1960, noting that the country had overcome several challenges while continuing to pursue national development.
She described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths, urging citizens to nurture it through tolerance, dialogue, peaceful coexistence and a shared commitment to the nation’s progress.
Mrs Tinubu called on Nigerians to reject division and conflict, saying the country’s future depended on the collective efforts of its citizens to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., she said, “Love is the most durable power in the world.”
She urged Nigerians to choose “love over division, peace over conflict, and hope over despair” as they work towards building the Nigeria of their dreams.
The First Lady also prayed for God’s continued protection over Nigeria and its people, as well as wisdom for the country’s leaders.
She prayed for enduring peace, prosperity, progress and stronger national unity.
Akpabio, Eno Shower Grants on Two Akwa Ibom Scholars
In another development, Senator Akpabio and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno have showered education grants on two Akwa Ibom scholars.
The scholars are Uwakmfon Unwana Jacob and Dr Joseph Peter Akpan.
Mr Jacob of Nile University of Nigeria was awarded a grant by the Akwa Ibom State Government to cover his educational development. He is a 44 time gold medal winner in Mathematics Olympiad, credited to have answered 17 questions in four minutes.
Dr Akpan was the best graduating student in Medicine and Surgery in the 2023/2024 academic session in the University of Uyo with 10 distinctions out of 11 courses that he offered. He broke a 25-year record in the College of Medical Sciences and won 25 different awards.
During the Variety Night that marked the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, the Governor had presented awards and grants to these scholars.
In support of the government’s gesture Senator Akpabio had pledged to give them additional 10 thousand dollars each for their living expenses.
Making the presentation in the home of Senator Akpabio in Uyo last Thursday night on behalf of the Senate President, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno congratulated the awardees and thanked Senator Akpabio for the love he has shown to the State and the gesture of financial support for the scholars.
“This is to show to our young people that the State Government and our leaders will always support the brightest and the best among our youths. Let it not be said that they were hindered because of financial constraints,” he said.
On his part, Senator Akpabio congratulated the scholars and said the educational grant and financial support was a pointer to the youths of Akwa Ibom State that where they excelled the Government and the leaders would push them higher and assist them to attain greater heights.
The father of Uwakmfon, Mr Jacob who spoke on behalf of the parents of the scholars said the family was grateful to the State Government and Senator Akpabio for the award to his son who was recognized without having any political connections but based on merit.
He promised that the awardees would remain focused on their academics and will continue to make the State proud.
Already, Governor Eno had also presented a cheque of N160 million full scholarship to Dr. Joseph Akpan for postgraduate studies in surgical and intervention science at McGill University, Canada, as well as N30M full scholarship award to Uwakmfon Umana Joseph, to study software engineering at Nile University, Abuja.
He noted that while Uwakmfon’s cheque was a fulfillment of commitment made by the immediate past Governor, to award full scholarship to the brilliant student, he had promised a full scholarship to Dr. Joseph Akpan, who was the best graduating student in Medicine and Surgery, from the University of Uyo in theb2024/2025 academic year, to pursue his masters degree in any foreign university.
Speaking at the special variety night held in commemoration of the 39th anniversary of the state, at the ARISE Palm Resort, Uyo, the Governor appreciated everyone for taking part in the activities marking the State’s anniversary, and urged everyone to play their part for the continued peace and unity of the State.
