Atiku, in his Independence Day address, encouraged Nigerians to have faith in God and be ready to steer the country back on the right path.

In his words, "While I urge all of us to entrust our strength to the Almighty God, we must also be prepared to put in our best efforts to rescue the country from its current state of uncertainty and lead it to a place of collective security.

"This year's Independence Day coincides with a time when the nation is at a crossroads in many aspects of our national life.

"Sixty-three years ago, when this great country gained independence, it was based on the promise of abundant prosperity and the ideals of social justice.

"As a nation, we have strived to realize the dreams of our founding fathers by upholding the commitments to shared prosperity and social justice.

"We have experienced significant moments when the flag of our beloved nation soared high on the global stage, thanks to the achievements of our athletes, the remarkable achievements of our scholars, and the exceptional artistry of Nigerian talents in the global music arena.

"The abilities and resilience of young Nigerians who have refused to give up on their country serve as an inspiration for a brighter future that we celebrate today.

"The vigor of the Nigerian youth is a potent force in supplying the world's workforce and skills.

"Internationally and in various fields of human endeavor, the youth of this nation have demonstrated their competence, on par with their counterparts from any part of the world.

"This success, the valor of our youth, is the fundamental essence of what we celebrate today as a nation.

Hence, the challenge before all of us is to ensure that the political leadership in our homeland is deserving of our pride as a people, rather than a source of embarrassment.

"Our democracy has thus far prevailed because of our steadfast belief that a democracy, when nurtured properly, should bring out the best in us.

"As Nigerians, we are not unfamiliar with the difficulties in the economy, security, and other crucial aspects of our society...