A faction of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun State and the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, have called for prayers, unity and stronger community participation as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
The Osun faction of IPAC, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Tosin Odeyemi and Kazeem Araoye, urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country and its leaders while remaining hopeful about the nation's future.
The group said the October 1 anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Nigeria's founding fathers and the resilience of citizens despite economic and security challenges.
IPAC acknowledged the difficulties faced by many Nigerians, particularly households dealing with current economic pressures. The group, however, expressed confidence that the challenges could be overcome through unity, patriotism, purposeful leadership and determination.
The council also spoke about the political situation in Osun, saying it remained committed to promoting democracy, peace and good governance. It said it would continue to engage with the state government in the interest of residents while maintaining its role as a watchdog.
IPAC added that opposition groups and government could work together where the welfare of citizens was the priority, while constructive criticism remained part of the democratic process.
Meanwhile, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, used his Independence anniversary message to highlight the role of traditional institutions in Nigeria's development.
The monarch said traditional rulers, as custodians of cultural values, could help promote responsible citizenship, peace and community development. He also described traditional institutions as an important link between government and grassroots communities.
Oba Oyelude called for stronger cooperation between traditional institutions and government, particularly in areas such as community security, public enlightenment, social harmony and local development.
The messages from the Osun stakeholders came as Nigerians across the country marked 66 years of independence, with leaders and groups using the occasion to call for unity, peaceful coexistence and renewed commitment to national development.
The IPAC faction said prayers should be accompanied by determination and responsible citizenship, while the monarch emphasised the contribution traditional institutions can make to strengthening communities and supporting national progress.