Nigeria at 66: Uzodimma, Archbishop Ugorji seek unity, national renewal

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Ugorji, have called on Nigerians to embrace unity, integrity and individual responsibility if they really love the country.

The duo spoke on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at a special thanksgiving and eucharistic service held at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since independence in 1960, Uzodimma said the country had survived civil war, military rule, economic difficulties and political crises, noting that the sacrifices of millions of ordinary Nigerians had helped keep the nation together.

“Nigeria at 66 is our country. It belongs to all of us,” the governor said, and urged citizens to look beyond government and contribute to nation-building through responsible conduct.

He acknowledged the economic difficulties facing families and businesses, saying the government had a responsibility to ensure that citizens’ sacrifices translated into meaningful improvements in their lives.

The governor, who stressed that “leadership begins at home,” urged Nigerians to obey laws, shun dishonesty and handle entrusted resources with integrity wherever they find themselves in positions of service.

He said it makes no sense that most of the things citizens complain are wrongly done by those in positions of authority are often done in worse ways by the same citizens who occupy positions of responsibility at the family, community and even church levels.

In his homily, Archbishop Ugorji identified corruption, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, inadequate power supply and weak institutions as major challenges to national development.

He, however, commended Governor Uzodimma for the giant strides his administration has made in infrastructural development and particularly with the Orashi electricity power supply in the state.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” Ugorji quoted from Proverbs 14:34, and urged Nigerians to embrace honesty, accountability, fairness and merit.

“If we want a new Nigeria, we must become new Nigerians,” Ugorji declared, calling for national unity, credible elections and an end to ethnic and religious divisions.

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