The Oluomo of Igbajoland, Chief Sunday Akere has charged Nigerians to look forward to a prosperous New Year having scaled through 2020 with its numerous challenges.
The former Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy also urged the teeming populace of the state to support the state government in its drive to turn around the fortune of the state, its inhabitants and make life better for all.
Oluomo Akere in a New Year message stressed the need for residents of the state and Nigerians in general to thank God for counting them worthy to witness the New Year despite the Year 2020 challenges that consume many souls across the world.
“We have many reasons to be grateful to God. This last year was a unique one, particularly the numerous challenges; first it the coronavirus pandemic that ravaged the world and plunged many economies, including Nigeria back into recession.
“While Nigeria was just coming out of the prolonged lockdown with the hope that the economy would pick up, then the EndSARS protest rear its head and disrupt the economy healing process and return the nation into more difficulty.
“Also the unending Boko Haram insurgency keep displacing farmers in the Northeast region of the country while banditry rages in the Northwest and kidnapping thrives on almost all parts of the country.
“Yet, in the face of all these, we are lucky to be counted worthy to witness the New Year hale and hearty. It is important for us all to leave behind the bitter experiences of last year and hope for a better 2021.
“I urged residents of the state to support the policies and programmes of the state government towards moving the state to the path of progress and sustainable economic development, especially its policy on youths empowerment, tourism development and turning around the educational fortunes of the state. I believe if we all rally round the government Osun will bounce back on the right track.
“I also implore youths in the state to shun social vices and embrace government’s policies to emancipate them from poverty since the state government focuses on women and youths as the fulcrum of its economic development plan.
“Lastly, I rejoice with the teeming populace in the state for witnessing another New Year and I believe it will be a year of economic prosperity for the country and the state in particular,” he said.
