Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark yesterday reflected on Nigeria’s journey to nationhood and posited that the time calls for sober reflection as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary.
On his part, Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Saliu Mustapha, has urged Nigerians to remain optimistic despite the country’s challenges.
In a goodwill message by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark said despite the challenges of insecurity, poverty, disease, and general underdevelopment, Nigeria is endowed with human and natural resources capable of changing the tide for good.
This he said is achievable if all citizens are patriotic and united with a common mission and purpose.
“Disappointing as the situation may seem, the shortcomings of the past should serve as useful lessons for progress. We must learn from our past mistakes and work towards a better future,” Mark said.
He recalled the 30-month-old fratricidal civil war, occasional ethno-religious conflicts and the uncertainties surrounding political engagements, saying that all these issues are traceable to inadequacies of leadership and citizens’ failure.
The former Senate president cautioned against divisive tendencies and inflammatory statements in recent times that tends to exacerbate the already fragmented atmosphere, adding “Those who exploit our fault lines of ethnicity and religious differences to promote hatred are enemies of the country”.
Despite the challenges, Mark noted that Nigeria has made progress in some areas pointing out that, “though we are not yet where we should be, we are certainly better than yester years. This should serve as motivation for us to continue working towards a better Nigeria.”
The former Senate President emphasized that political leaders should lead by example and strive to put the citizens at the centre of their programmes and policies.
He was optimistic that Nigeria can come out of its current challenges if all Nigerians resolve to bury the hatchet of yesterday, “We must unite and work together to address our challenges.”
To further address the challenges of underdevelopment, Mark advocated for huge investments in enterprises and production that would improve income and end capital flights.
Meanwhile, senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, Mustapha, in a statement signed by his media aide, Nasif Sholagberu, noted that the nation’s 64th independence anniversary offers an opportunity for both citizens and leaders to reflect on the nation’s journey since independence.
He acknowledged that while Nigeria might not have achieved all its aspirations, it is continuously improving and remains full of potential.
Mustapha commended President Bola Tinubu for his developmental strides and urged Nigerians to support the administration’s initiatives aimed at advancing the nation.
He called for increased engagement in nation-building, advocating for collaboration between leaders and citizens to tackle key issues such as security, economic growth, and social welfare.
The lawmaker restated his commitment to initiatives that will improve the wellbeing of his constituents and contribute to national development.
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