Wabara, Masari, Nwuche Optimistic
From Andy Ekugo and Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja
Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari and Hon Austin Opara respectively as well as former Deputy Speaker (Prince) Chibudom Nwuche, have all expressed optimism in the growth and greatness of the country.
The lawmakers expressed these views in their messages to mark the 44th Independence anniversary of Nigeria.
Wabara said although Nigeria was still experiencing some hiccups in the political system, it was never the less headed for greater heights.
He canvassed collective existence of all component parts of the country, noting that this would ensure faster as progress of the country.
Wabara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Henry Ugbolue said though the pace of economic development could be seen as slow, it was however moving in a positive direction which portended good for all both within and outside the economy. He counseled Nigerians to use the period to strengthen their resolve to shun people who accumulate wealth by dubious means, thereby eroding the value systems of the society.
"Nigeria is on a path to greatness but greater heights can only be attained through collective efforts of all Nigerians. The nation's enemies are those who delight in stoking the embers of war and disunity as well as those who are often too quick to criticize. The enemies of this country are those who do little or nothing yet seek to dubiously accumulate wealth. Nigerians should shun these categories of people", he charged.
Making a case for democracy Masari said progress and development was faster in a democratic rather than military rule.
He called on Nigerians to take more interest in activities that impinge on their daily existence, particularly the legislature.
Masari said there was need for the collective protection of democracy as development and welfare of the people were surer and faster under democracy than in dictatorships.
He said the House was already in the process of producing a legislative agenda with the aim of reforming the all sectors of the economy for a total transformation.
"The agenda will concentrate on agriculture, rural electrification, health, education and provision of basic infrastructure. We are doing this in the belief that the surest way to economic and social transformation of Nigeria is through economic empowerment of the rural people.
"If we create greater opportunities for rural people to earn good incomes through agriculture and provide good health facilities and social infrastructure, we would have provided real access to good life for majority of our people", he said.
Nwuche in his own message urged Nigerians to keep hope alive stressing that every nation that has achieved greatness went through the seeming tough period Nigeria is going through now.
Nwuche who turned 43 yesterday, in an independence message in Abuja said that at 44, Nigeria is going through " a significant age in the history of our nation" while maintaining that although there are ups and downs, Nigerians should forget their differences and work towards progress.
" We are at a critical stage with a comatose economy which the government is trying to solve" but adviced that although there will be pains along the progress, people should bear
Also in his message, Deputy Speaker, Opara called on Nigerians to use the period of the anniversary for sober reflection as well as use the experience garnered from the process for political, social and economic development.
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