Emmanuel Masha 
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday urged Nigerians to be grateful to God despite the severe economic hardship in the country.
In his Independence Day message, he said God had endowed them with everything required to build a great nation where no one should ever be oppressed, and where all should live in peace and plenty.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his bold, dynamic and pragmatic economic reforms targeted at correcting the structural deformities of the past, and ushering Nigeria into a new vista of sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
He said Tinubu deserves commendation for being bold and determined to drive his economic reforms, which are targeted at correcting the structural deformities of the past Fubara said: “But despite the economic hardship and social ills bedeviling our nation and stifling its progress, we still have good reasons to celebrate and be grateful to God as a nation and people.
“We are known all over the world as hardworking, confident and happy people. “We are known for our enormous natural and human resources and economic potential.
“We are also known for our rich cultural diversity – a vibrant nation where different religions, languages and traditions co-exist peacefully.”
He also declared that his administration will not surrender to barefaced blackmail while committing to consolidating on the gains made in ensuring peace, advancing good governance, delivering more critical projects, and sustaining the increase in the Internally Generation Revenue (IGR) of the state.
The governor said, it is, therefore, important for Nigerians to keep faith with the vision of the founding leaders and do so by reaffirming their fidelity to one indivisible nation under God, and pledge themselves to each other in freedom, peace, and justice.
