The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite the current socio-economic and political challenges.
In his remarks at a symposium to mark the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, the Senate President said every sunset was an opportunity to reset and reboot.
“To those who may feel that Nigeria has nothing to celebrate because of the tough economic times we are in, let me remind them that every sunset is a welcome opportunity to reset and reboot, and every sunrise should be met with new perspectives,” he said.
According to a release made available to BusinessDay by Eseme Eyiboh, his media adviser, the Senate President quoted Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, the late Tafawa Balewa as saying, “But now we have acquired our rightful status, and I feel sure that history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace: it has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations, ” noted that “History has not shown that the building of our nation proceeded at a wise pace, neither that Nigeria stood upon firm foundations at Independence.
“The foundations were not firm enough to resist the inordinate ambition of five majors. They were not firm enough to withstand the drumbeats of civil war.
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“The challenge of every generation of Nigerians, thereafter, has been to fortify and strengthen the foundations of our dear country so that they could hold our collective aspirations and expectations.
“In 1999, after several hopes were betrayed, after several false starts and disappointments, after despair gave way to malaise, Nigerians, led by the statesman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, stormed the gates of destiny, cleared the cobwebs of military rule and made way for democracy.
“We can now see that Alhaji Balewa was prophetic. We now have firm foundations – strong enough to hold our democracy for 24 years and set to hold it forever. Therefore, we should not let our present circumstances which are temporary cloud our permanent sense of pride that we now have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Elections give us a government of the people as we vote. Representation and appointments give us a government by the people. But responsible, people-focused governance gives us the government for the people.”
Akpabio, who said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was a government for the people, added: “As long as this administration keeps in step with the people, speaks the language of the people and sees things through the eyes of the people, the Tenth National Assembly will walk with them. This administration will not walk alone.”
According to him, “The time has come for Nigerians to stop waiting for the nation they want and start being the nation we all want. No matter the pain and difficulty, we must never give up on our dreams or lose our confidence in our leaders. Let us continue in the pathway of patriotism no matter how bad the twists and turns on the road.
“Therefore, I assure all Nigerians on this memorable day that we will not lose our ventures.”
