Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to remain optimistic in the dream of building a great and prosperous nation.

He also urged the citizens to be resilient in the face of challenges facing the country.

Jonathan said this in a message to mark the 64th Nigeria’s  independence anniversary by his  media aide, Ikechukwu Eze In Abuja.

He said that today marked a significant milestone in the nation’s history, emphasizing the need for deepening the roots of democracy and a culture of credible, free and fair elections in the country.

According to him, since 1960, Nigeria has come a long way, making measured strides in various sectors and overcoming countless obstacles in its journey of nationhood.

“Over time, we have indeed made modest progress in our hopes and shared dreams as citizens of our nation.

We have had sustained democracy in this 4th Republic for 25 years, after seeing the end of military rule in 1999”.

The former president, however, said that today Nigerians still faced significant challenges that test their resolve and resilience as a people.

These, according to him, border on the inability to meet Nigerians’ goals and expectations on security, economic growth, national cohesion and general infrastructure development

He added that Nigerians must recommit to the principles of justice, equity and inclusion, harness the diversity of the country, tap into youth’s potential, and leverage the natural resources for the benefit of all.

The former president encouraged Nigerians to remain optimistic, resilient and committed to our nation’s greatness, despite the odds.

He also emphasized that with a common purpose, zeal and love for one another, Nigerians can overcome challenges and build a prosperous nation of collective dreams, where every citizen has equal opportunities to thrive.