Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has granted amnesty to 25 prisons inmates serving different terms in the three prisons in the State in commemoration of Nigeria’s 55 years of Independence. Amongst those that regained freedom is a man who had been in prison custody since 1990.

Speaking at the occasion held at Ekwueme Square, Awka, the governor said he exercised his constitutional powers on prerogative of mercy in a bid to give hope to the hopeless among the citizenry.

In his words, “I see hope for Nigeria. It is along this line that I have decided to give hope to the hopeless amongst us by exercising my prerogative of mercy and granting amnesty to 25 prisoners serving different terms in the three prisons in Anambra State.

“The coming of age of the country at the period is a great day in the history of Nigeria. Fifty-five years is a milestone in the life cycle of nations. It is even more so in Africa and other nations of the world where the very idea of nationhood is perpetually on trial. We must all be thankful to Almighty God for his special love and infinite grace to Nigeria.

“Our founding fathers had rightly hoped and prayed for the sun to rise on Nigeria and for a moment, their wishes seemed granted.”

Obiano observed that the special Anniversary of the nation-hood calls for a sober reflection especially on the dreams of the founding fathers about Nigeria as a country whose greatness would finally announce to the free world, the rise of a super-power in black Africa saying that they dreamt of a strong country whose inherent potentials would outweigh its in-born socio-cultural inhibitions and whose promise would outshine the teething problems of nascent nationhood.

He observed that the country has since independence, survived successive waves of programs and a bloody Civil War, experienced harrowing moments of civil disturbances, religious and ethnic violence and wide-spread uncertainty and doubt about our corporate future, adding that at present, the dark clouds of insurgency hovers over the North East of Nigeria and all over the country, a general sense of insecurity reigns. “But Nigeria is stronger than all her challenges and Nigeria will survive through it all.”

Citing the trials witnessed by Anambra State since its existence, especially the decades the people lived under fear, while the State looked like a cemetery for dead and dying dreams, governor Obiano said he has renewed his faith in the eventual triumph of good over evil and restoration of Nigerian Project.

He said: “So, there is much to be hopeful for. Ndi be anyi, there is so much to be thankful for. Although the price of oil is still down in the international market, our hopes shall not fall. Though insurgents and violent criminals still prowl the land, our dreams shall never die. Although we may not always agree with each other, the basis of our union shall withstand the test of unity.

“My hope is rekindled about a brighter Anambra State where he watched the first harvest of rice at the Coscharis Farms in Anaku, and knew that Anambra is on the verge of prosperity.

When I look at the promising growth of our IGR, I know that our tomorrow will be greater than our today. When I look at the structures we are putting in place, the fundamentals we are building and the artist impression of the proposed Awka Capital City Project, I become prouder to be onye Anambra. Umunnem, anyi bu ife.”

On the mantra of hope and brighter future, the governor said on this great occasion of Nigeria’s 55th Independence, I see nothing but hope . . . hope for our school children who represented Nigeria at the last World Schools Debating Championship in Singapore, hope for our industrialists who shall soon begin to enjoy the benefits of the Independent Power Plant being built by UDIPPCO in Umerum and hope for our teeming youths who shall soon begin to get good jobs from the various investors who are beginning to settled down in Anambra State.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano addressing Ndi Anambra . . . yesterday in Awka.

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