By Abba – Eku Onyeka, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, others greet Nigerians at the country’s 64th Independence Celebration.
The senators spoke through press statements from their media offices Tuesday, being the day of the celebration.
Saluting the citizens, the senate president admonished Nigerians to be patient and hopeful that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will come out better, even as he applauded Nigerians for their indomitable spirit, saying though the nation has been faced with numerous challenges, the citizens have remained resolute and resilient.
While commending Mr President’s leadership, which he said has given Nigerians a renewed hope for a better Nigeria, he said that the 10th National Assembly has passed several pro-development laws aimed at renewing the collective urges and aspirations for the citizens and fostering growth in key sectors.
Similarly, the deputy senate president appealed to the citizens to remain resolute in the promotion of national unity, support and prayers for the government to succeed in its efforts to turn around the country’s fortunes positively.
Senator Barau appealed to the promoters of the October 1 protest to shelve the idea, just as he reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to reviving the economy and tackling insecurity and other challenges facing the country. Calling for recognizing the enormous sacrifices by Nigerians’ founding fathers, by strictly adhering to their preachings, including promoting national unity, he urged support for Mr President in actualising his food policies programmes.
Under Mr Senate President’s leadership, he said the parliament would collaborate with the executive in actualizing its policy, adding that Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review, under his chairmanship, which had a retreat in Kano, would soon come out with a befitting constitution for the country.
The senate majority leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while calling for promotion of unity, stated that after 64 years of political independence and 110 years of corporate existence, onus now rests upon Nigerians to focus on what majorly unites them, just as he enjoined all leaders to close ranks and come up with consensus on how to end challenges undermining Nigerians’ prosperity and stability.
Believing that such a united front is imperative as the review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is underway at the National Assembly, he promised that they won’t leave any interest behind in the task of forging a new path for the country
However, Senator Uzor Orji Kalu on his own commended Nigerians for diligence and urged the political class to use their positions to advance the cause of the people. Kalu while applauding efforts of the Federal Government (FG) in promoting nationhood, called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and united in their endeavors, just as he stressed that the heterogenous nature of the country should be explored for positive gains.
The Chairman of Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, Katsina Central and the
Chairman, Senate Committee on Army urged Nigerians to remember the sacrifices of their founding fathers, who fought their. Stating that their legacies expire us to strive for a united Nigeria, he urged leaders at all levels to prioritize good governance, accountability, and the welfare of our citizens.
Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), while greeting Nigerians and Mr President at independence, stated that in spite of challenges facing the nation particularly in area of socioeconomic development which is not peculiar to Nigeria at this time, Nigeria is moving ahead, urging Nigerians to be steadfast in prayer for peace, security and unity.
In the vain, Former Senate President David Mark noted that despite insecurity, poverty, disease, and general underdevelopment, Nigeria is endowed with human and natural resources capable of changing the tide for good. Calling that we learn from past mistakes, work towards a better future, he cautioned against divisive tendencies and inflammatory statements in recent times that tends to exacerbate the already fragmented atmosphere.
