Writers 
*INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF REALITY STATE*
*By His Excellency, Governor Adams Arongwu Jimoh*
My fellow citizens of Reality State, I greet you all.
It is with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of preparedness that I join you in celebrating Nigeria’s Independence Day.
This day calls us to sober reflection, to correct where we have, as humans, insatiably gone wrong. If for nothing else, we owe it to our past heroes and heroines who fought for the freedom we enjoy today. 66 years ago, they gave their all with sincerity of purpose. To honour them is to lead with that same sincerity.
As your Governor, my doors remain open to your constructive criticisms aimed at moving our state towards prosperity. Being Governor does not make me the best among citizens, nor does it make me a god. I see it as a sacred responsibility; a heavy burden I swore an oath to bear, and one that requires all hands on deck.
I have not forgotten the words of my manifesto, words that earned your mandate. Let me reiterate: *this administration is not built on mere hope. It is built on transparency and on the prudent deployment of our resources for development.*
Our projects are visible across the state. And we are confident that by the end of our tenure, Reality State will stand as a model state in Africa. This state belongs to all of us; therefore, you have a right to know how it is governed.
*Permit me to give a breakdown of our footprint.* Some projects are completed, others are ongoing, and we are resolute that all will be completed within our tenure.
*ON THE CIVIL SERVICE:*
We are mindful of the economic realities facing our nation, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidy, which has had an incremental effect on federal allocations to states.
In response, I have approved a new minimum wage of *₦150,000* with all necessary consequential adjustments. We know your service to this state cannot be fully measured in wages, and we pledge to continue reviewing it in line with productivity.
Furthermore, I have directed all banks to enroll state workers on a special *salary advance scheme*. This will allow workers to access up to 50% of their salaries as an overdraft before the next payday. The advance will be repaid interest-free, spread across three consecutive months, after which workers become eligible again.
*ON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME:*
To cushion the harsh effects of rising fuel prices, I have directed that *400 non-civil servants and non-traders* be selected from each of the 21 Local Government Areas. Each beneficiary will receive *₦10,000 monthly* as a social support grant. I assure you that we shall continue to work on the path of prosperity. This is our state and collectively, we shall socially and economically make it convenient for us all.
This is only the beginning...
*God bless Reality State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.*
*His Excellency,*
*Governor Adams Arongwu Jimoh*
_Governor, Reality State_
