Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President, David Mark yesterday sought joint efforts to bail out the country from economic recession.
This was contained in their separate goodwill messages to mark the country’s 56th Independence anniversary.
Saraki specifically called on Nigerians from all walks of life to collaborate with the Federal Government in order to ensure the nation emerged from the current economic recession stronger, more united, developed and self-reliant.
The Senate President, in his message signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, also commended all Nigerians, especially the nation’s founding fathers, for their contributions that have averted disaster from the nation at every point her existence is threatened by social, political and economic problems.
While expressing regrets that in her 56 years of existence Nigeria’s economy still depends on only oil, a situation which created the present economic problems being experienced by the citizenry, Saraki commended Nigerians for their perseverance, understanding and support in the face of the harsh economic condition.
He said: “As we celebrate independence, we should all vow to work together as we have done in the past to save the nation. As we expect leaders to initiate policies, programmes and projects that will propel the economy to grow rapidly and improve the standard of living of the people, our people should also seek to explore their creative talents to produce goods and services which can compete with the best in the world, thereby enhancing our ability to export massively and earn foreign exchange.
“That is why I continue to say that the responsibility to once again search for credible and lasting solutions to the economic crisis lies with all Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora.
The Senate President also called for prayers from individuals and faith-based organisations for the quick recovery of the economy as “we can only achieve our goals with the blessings of God upon our efforts.”
On his own, Ekweremadu “urges sober reflections, return to the path of founding fathers” the Deputy Senate President called for sober reflection and return to the path of true federalism as envisioned by the founding fathers in order to move the nation forward.
The Senator, who stressed the need for justice, peace, and unity, once more urged the Federal Government to mobilise all capable hands to salvage the nation’s ailing economy, as there was hunger in the land.
This is contained in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu.
He said: “This 56th Independence anniversary calls for sober reflection. No people can make progress unless they retrace their steps back to where the rain started beating them.
“Nigeria, at formation, had a building plan, which was based on true federalism as covenanted by our founding fathers at various conferences leading up to independence. For as long as we followed that plan, we prospered.
“But, once we discarded the building plan, dissembled the inherited structures and legacies and began to undermine the fabrics of equity, justice, balance, healthy competition and economic prosperity that was ingrained therein, we charted our route to the current perdition.”
Ekweremadu, however, assured that Nigeria would bounce back faster if immediate steps were taken to unite the country, getting the best hands on deck, irrespective of wherever they are found.
“I am afraid, true prosperity may continue to elude us as a nation unless we restore the basis of the union as agreed upon by the founding fathers, also taking into cognisance the experience of the last 56 years.
“There are no two ways about it, for what a people sow, that is exactly what they will reap”, he stressed.
Also, Mark in a statement entitled Nigeria @ 56: A Nation Destined for Greatness, expresses hope that recession will end if the right steps are taken.
A statement by his media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that the former Senate President took stock of Nigeria’s chequered economic and Socio-political history since independence and submitted that in spite of the bottlenecks, the nation is destined for greatness.
To achieve greatness however, Senator Mark canvassed for policy consistency saying that development in the country has been largely encumbered by inconsistencies in policy formulation and implementation.
Senator Mark also urged for love and unity of purpose among Nigerians irrespective of religious, political and ethnic affiliations, adding that such is the only way the nation can realise its full potential with all the abundant human and natural resources.
