From Lateef Taiwo

Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, says Nigeria is on the path to greatness, despite some of the challenges confronting the nation.

Lawan made this known, on Saturday, in a statement to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day celebration.

According to the lawmaker who represents Yobe North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Nigeria is a force to reckon with, as it has become the bastion for the propagation of democratic ideals within and beyond Africa.

The former Senate President describes the policies introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu as ‘laudable’, adding that they come with long-term benefits that would overtime strengthen the nation’s economy.

He enjoins Nigerians to support the Federal Government, noting that the current challenges are only temporary and a situation that would fizzle away with time.

Lawan in his message said, “I congratulate Nigerians as we mark the country’s 63rd Independence Day celebration.

“As a country blessed with so much natural resources and talented citizens, it is safe to say that Nigeria is undoubtedly on the path to greatness despite some of the challenges it might be going through at the moment.

“Nigeria has so much to show for the years it has existed as an independent nation. In Africa and beyond, our dear country stands tall in the Comity of Nations. We have become the nexus for the promotion of Democratic ideals.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu since assuming leadership, has initiated some laudable policies to bring about a turnaround in the economic fortunes of our dear nation.

“Although the results and benefits might not be immediate, but Nigerians can be rest assured that the effect of these policies do not have the overwhelming capacity to withstand the long term benefits, if these policies by the Federal Government are sustained and implemented, accordingly.

“I, therefore, urge the administration to follow through on the implementation of ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda in a way that guarantees good governance and delivers on the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

“Indeed, there’s hope at the end of the tunnel.”
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Indefinite Strike Will Inflict More Pains on Nigerians, Senate Leader Tells Labour Unions

From Lateef Taiwo
Congratulates Nigerians on 63rd independence anniversary

As Nigeria marks her 63rd anniversary of independence on Sunday, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to suspend their plan to embark on an indefinite strike in the national interest.

Bamidele, also Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum until the 10th National Assembly, noted that the federal government and all its relevant agencies are working underground to come up with viable options in response to the demands of the organised labour.

In a statement by his Media and Public Affairs Department on Saturday, Bamidele congratulated Nigerians across all socio-economic and political strata on the 63rd anniversary Nigeria became an independent nation.

From October 1, 1960 to date, Bamidele observed that Nigeria, in spite of her internal challenges, remained “a strong, united and indivisible nation that still provides strong leadership not only for West Africa, but also entire Africa.”

With the new government at the helms of affairs, Bamidele assured Nigerians at home and in the diaspora that the federation will soon come out of diverse challenges undermining her progress, citing diverse development-driven reforms that the new government has initiated.

The senate leader, therefore, urged Nigerians to team up with the new government to lead the federation out of doldrums; implement key reforms that will create limitless opportunities for her teeming young population and rebuild global confidence in the country.

He, specifically, appealed to the leadership of the NLC and TUC not to embark on an indefinite strike in the national interest, saying such an action “will further inflict more pains on Nigerians at the time the new government is working hard to address their concerns and grievances.

“At a time like this, labour unions are advised to embrace dialogue rather than consider options that will compound the sufferings of the people. At a time like this, all parties are supposed to go into negotiation with absolute trust in the new government.”

He noted that President Tinubu’s economic reforms would soon begin to yield positive outcomes that would exponentially boost the standard of living among Nigerians irrespective of their socio-economic status.

The senate leader hailed the founding fathers of Nigeria “for their unalloyed patriotism, towering nationalism, uncommon sacrifice and dogged struggle that culminated in the independence of the country on October 1, 1960.

“As Nigerians, we are under obligation to ensure that the labour of our heroes will never be in vain. I congratulate Nigerians as our nation turns 63 as a strong, united and indivisible nation that the world over is now waiting for to occupy her rightful place among nations.”

Bamidele enjoined Nigerians to maximise the opportunity inherent in their comradeship, willful togetherness and collective desire to further travel the journey ahead and make Nigeria a better place to proudly bequeath to the next generation.

He, however, reassured all stakeholders that the 10th Senate would continue to make impactful legislations for Nigeria’s common good; under the leadership of the President of the Senate. Senator Goodwill Akpabio.
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Independence Day: Deputy President of the Senate urges Nigerians not to despair, says our challenges surmountable

From Lateef Taiwo

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has urged Nigerians not to despair, saying the challenges facing the country are surmountable with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Federal Government had declared Monday, October 2 as a public holiday to commemorate the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

Senator Barau (APC, Kano North), in his message to Nigerians on the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, 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.

The Deputy President of the Senate reiterated the commitment of President Tinubu to the revival of the economy, tackling the security and other challenges facing the country.

” Fellow Nigerians, happy Independence Day. As we celebrate the 63rd Independence Anniversary – the liberty from colonial rule, we must remember the enormous sacrifices made by our founding fathers; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, among others, and recommit ourselves to the ideals they preached including the promotion of national unity, peace, justice, and tolerance.

” Yes, at 63, we have some challenges facing us as a country but they are surmountable. We will overcome them. Our country will come out stronger of its present challenges, by God’s grace.

” Let’s continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualise his policies and programmes as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda. He has good intentions for the country. We will get it right,” he said.

Joining the calls on organised labour to shelve its planned strike over petrol subsidy removal, the Deputy President of the Senate said there are genuine moves by the government to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

He said the parliament would continue to work for good governance and support the executive with the necessary legislation to actualise its programmes and policies.

” On our part as assured by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, we will continue to support the executive to address the nation’s challenges. This is why we have been given accelerated consideration to the requests of the President. We will sustain the tempo to fast-track the development of our country,” he said.