ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Ahead of the New Year celebration, the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have urged Nigerians to work towards building a better Nigeria.
Saraki particularly called on Nigerians to join hands with the present administration to make the country great again by supporting its policies and programmes that are aimed at restoring full security across the country and revamping the economy.
Ekweremadu, on his part, called on Nigerians to work and pray for the peace and progress of the country, especially in the New Year.
In his New Year message to Nigerians signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki congratulated Nigerians, as they mark the New Year festivities, as well as their resilience and patience, especially in the face of daunting economic challenges.
He said that the need for effective collaboration between the people and the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, is imperative to overcome the nation’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, and to make the nation prosperous once again.
Saraki added that the present government is working to ensure that the world stops talking of the potentials of Nigeria and move on to counting the achievements and progress recorded by the country.
He noted that the Federal Government, through the nation’s Armed Forces and the support of all Nigerians, have recorded tremendous success in the fight against insurgency
The Senate President pointed out that intense collaboration between the citizenry and government is needed more than ever before to prevent incessant attacks from Boko Haram and eradicate all forms of criminality in the land.
Saraki, who commiserated with all victims of suicide attacks during the Christmas celebration, said that he was greatly encouraged by the determination displayed by the security agencies so far in their efforts to effectively close that sad chapter of the nation’s history.
“I am delighted that we are celebrating the New Year not only in peace but as a united country to the shame of doom’s day prophets that predicted that this country would not survive the year 2015. Notwithstanding the negative predictions, we are today marking the New Year as one indivisible country and more than ever before determined as a people to live together in peace, love and unity.
“This is why it is crucial for the government and the people to continue to work together to ensure total restoration of security in every nook and cranny of the country and to set the nation’s economy on the path of progress once more. Nigeria is the only country we have. Let’s unite to defend and make her the greatest country in the continent,” Saraki stated.
He urged all citizens who are aggrieved over any issue to always explore the various available constitutional means of seeking redress and resolution rather than resorting to means that will create tension and bring benefit to nobody.
The Senate President pledged that the National Assembly would continue to fashion out appropriate legislative instruments that would bring succour to Nigerians, boost economic growth and strengthen the fight against corruption and insurgency in the land.
Ekweremadu, in his New Year message, signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, observed that Nigeria made tremendous progress in nurturing democracy and preserving the peace and unity of the country, despite the economic challenges of the moment.
“There is no doubt that 2015 will be remembered as a defining year for the nation’s democracy and unity. We have to give deserved credit to the Nigerian people whose sense of patriotism ensured that we held successful general elections and an unprecedented and smooth handover of government from one political party to the other.
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“As we enter the new year, therefore, it behoves on all Nigerians, leaders and the led alike, to sustain our democratic gains, especially the preservation of the rule of law and the sanctity of the ballot box ,as these two are the cornerstones of both democracy and stability.
“Despite the setback in last constitution amendment exercise, the Senate, and indeed the National Assembly is committed to working with the Nigerian people to strengthen the nation’s constitutional frameworks to promote peace, unity, democracy, good governance, and prosperity,” he said.
