The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as he rejoiced with citizens on the occasion of the country’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.
Gbajabiamila said as a country, Nigeria has come a long way and made tremendous progress in the 62 years of her independence, noting that the citizens have a lot to celebrate despite the challenges facing them.
As a nation, the Speaker noted, Nigeria remains a force to reckon with in the comity of nations, calling on both the leaders and followers to remain steadfast.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the speaker expressed optimism that Nigeria and Nigerians would come out stronger in the face of daunting challenges, including insecurity.
He reiterated the need for citizens to continue to remain patriotic and keep hope alive ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Gbajabiamila, therefore, urged Nigerians to maintain peace, unity, law and order ahead of the country’s polls, maintaining that the country would get it right.
Unity, Credible Election
Another lawmaker, the Minority Caucus leader in the House of Representatives, Tony Elumelu while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of the 62nd Independence Anniversary of the nation, urged them to unite and forge a common front to salvage the country.
On such an auspicious occasion, the Minority Caucus again saluted the resilience and commitment of Nigerians toward national peace and development.
“In the last seven years, Nigerians have passed through the most harrowing period in our national history.
“It is against this backdrop that we must approach the 2023 general election with undiluted determination to redeem and salvage our nation… and democratically enthroning a purposeful and people-oriented government, come May 29 2023.
He, therefore, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other democratic institutions to put all mechanisms in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
“Furthermore, Independence Day presents to leaders at all levels the occasion to jettison all anti-people inclinations and rededicate themselves to selfless service in such a way that Nigerians can benefit from the abundant human and natural resources bestowed on our nation by God.”
The Minority Caucus called on the Federal Government to use this occasion to take more drastic steps to rescue our compatriots who are still languishing in terrorist dens, including the remaining victims of the Abuja/Kaduna train terrorist attack.
The Caucus also called on the Federal Government to speedily address the issue of the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) so that our children in public universities can return to their studies.
“On our part, the Minority Caucus restates our commitment towards using all legislative instruments at our disposal in protecting the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians at all times.”
”The Minority Caucus applauds Nigerians and wishes our nation a happy independence anniversary.
Vote Wisely
The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Toby Okechukwu, has blamed the present state of the country on poor leadership and enjoined Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the 2023 general election to vote in leaders, who would turn the nation’s fortunes around.
Okechukwu, while congratulating Nigerians on her 62nd independence anniversary, said the nation’s challenges, though enormous, were surmountable.
He noted that Nigeria has occasionally wobbled for the last 62 years, but not cracked.
The lawmaker, who represents the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, said: “As we mark 62 years of independence, it is regrettable that Nigeria has disappointed on the hopes and promises she held for not only Nigerians, but also for Africa and the Black race at independence.
“Our challenges over the years; the apparent dysfunction in the economy; the absence of unity; and the sorry state of our nation are clear pointers to the fact that our lives cannot be necessarily made better by electing leaders we call ‘our own’ based ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
“The 2023 general election, therefore, presents Nigerians with a redemptive opportunity to put things right and chart a new path to unity, progress, and development by rising above primordial sentiments to vote wisely”..
PIAK/N.O/Confidence O
