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Tag: Mark

  • Mark for AFCON final

    Mark for AFCON final

    Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday said he will represent the Senate at the 2013 African Cup of Nations final holding on Sunday in South Africa.

    Mark stated this on the floor of the Senate as part of his commendation for the superlative performance of Super Eagles in the tournament.

    The team trounced the Eagles of Mali 4-1 on Wednesday to zoom into the final slated for Sunday.

    Mark said, “The prayer groups must intensify their prayers because it is the final victory that will crown us the champions of football in Africa.

    “I believe that very many of you who watched yesterday’s (Wednesday) match will agree with me that the Super Eagles flew very well.

    “I will go to South Africa to represent all of you on Sunday.

    “So we need serious prayers. So far our prayers have spurred the Super Eagles into action.

    “I commend them for a job well done and urge them to go all out on Sunday and bring the cup home.”

     

  • Jonathan, Gowon, Buhari, others inaugurate centenary celebration

    Jonathan, Gowon, Buhari, others inaugurate centenary celebration

    President Goodluck Jonathan led five former Presidents and Heads of State on Monday evening to inaugurate the nation’s centenary anniversary celebration.

    The anniversary will hold on January 1, 2014.

    The British colonial administration amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates which make up the Nigerian nation on January 1, 1914.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former military Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo also graced the occasion held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

    The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, his Deputy Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, his Deputy, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar also attended the event.

    State Governors, Ministers, Presidential aides, captains of Industry, members of Diplomatic Corps also were present at the occasion.

    Speaking at the occasion, Jonathan said the amalgamation of 1914 was not a mistake but an act of God.

    He said the amalgamation created “a unique entity of the globe called Nigeria; a beautiful country richly blessed and which had turned out innovative people across the world.’’

    The president said that beyond the endowed natural resources, “Nigeria is blessed with unique collection of people specially created by God.’’

    “The one Nigeria consciousness which has kept the nation together must be safeguarded.’’

    The president said that it was a unique act of God that the country had survived a civil war and several other daunting challenges.

    “The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are.

    “I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud.

    “Arise, we shall and prosper we will,’’ he said.

  • Mark urges senators to fast for Super Eagles

    Mark urges senators to fast for Super Eagles

    The Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday in Abuja appealed to senators to fast for the Super Eagles, if it would ensure their victory over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    The national team will file out against their Cote d’Ivoire counterparts in Sunday’s quarter-final match of the ongoing 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “Individually, you can fast if you think it will make them to win,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Mark as saying to the senators on Thursday.

    According to him, national pride is at stake and therefore, the Super Eagles must play their best to ensure victory.

    He told the Deputy Leader of the Senate who, he said, was the contact person between the Senate and the Super Eagles, to inform them that the prayers of all Nigerians were with them.

    “We will pray as hard as we can but they must play as hard as they can because our prayers alone cannot score goals,’’ Mark said.

     

  • Senate salutes Eagles

    Senate salutes Eagles

    The Senate on Wednesday congratulated the Super Eagles over their victory against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the ongoing Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Senate President, David Mark, who made the commendation in his opening remarks on the floor of the Senate, however reminded the players that Nigeria’s pride is at stake.

    Mark urged the players to work harder to carry the day in their next encounter with the Ivoirian team.

    For the Senate President, the Keshi tutored lads should not let the country down.

    He said, “We congratulate the Super Eagles for their success against the Ethiopians. Our prayers are with them. We thank God that they were able to convert the two penalties that were awarded to us.

    “From now till Saturday when they will play again we will continue to pray for them.

    “They should do more remembering that our national pride is at stake. They must not let us down.

    “The players should take the tournament more seriously. We are with them.”

     

  • Mark condemns attack on Emir of Kano

    Mark condemns attack on Emir of Kano

    The Senate President, Sen. David Mark has condemned the attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, saying, “it was a violent assault on our respected traditional institutions.’’

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Sunday.

    Mark urged the security agencies to once again rise to the challenge by fishing out the perpetrators.

    He decried the incessant gun attacks as well as the activities of the Boko Haram sect who always target innocent individuals in the society.

    He appealed to Nigerians who have information about the hideouts of the terrorists to make such available to the security agencies.

    The senate president, however, renewed his call to those behind these dastardly acts to sheathe their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the nation.

    “If their designs and actions are genuine, they should embrace the dialogue option canvassed by every notable Nigerian,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Senate president as saying in the statement.

    Mark condoled with the families of the driver and guards that lost their lives in the attack to take heart and leave vengeance to God.

     

  • Mark warns politicians against 2015 campaigns

    Mark warns politicians against 2015 campaigns

    Senate President David Mark on Wednesday warned elected and appointed political office holders to concentrate on delivering good governance to the people instead of dissipating their energy campaigning for the 2015 general elections.

    Mark spoke while addressing Senators on resumption from the Christmas and New Year break in Abuja.

    Mark said: “You will recall that at the commencement of my stewardship in the 7th Senate, I promised on behalf of all of us that this Senate will always stand with the Nigerian people, at all times and in all circumstances, because we are their elected representatives.

    “We have remained unflinching in this respect. And we will continue to do so in 2013 and the years ahead.

    “Therefore legislative activity for 2013 should perfectly dovetail with the synthesised expectations and wishes of the Nigerian people.

    “Such expectations and wishes are not difficult to discern. The inputs we have made in the 2013 budget are in acknowledgement of some of these expectations.

    “The task of the Senate in 2013 would be to work to restore confidence in the ability of the government to rise to the challenges elicited by the public expectations.

    “We will seek to bring succour to our nation, and re-energise our people’s faith in one indivisible nation, and in constitutional democracy.

    “We will do this by pursuing a legislative agenda that not only promotes the common good, but is also responsive to the national mood and expectations.

    “Some of these expectations can be met within the framework of existing laws, provided that the legislative task of oversight is discharged with firmness, diligence, transparency, courage and commitment.”

     

  • Mark: Bill against same sex marriage stands

    Senate President David Mark has said the Bill prohibiting same sex marriage is irrevocable.

    The lawmaker, who spoke when he addressed Catholic faithful and guests at the civic reception in honour of Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan in Abuja, said the Bill would be passed into law irrespective of pressures from some sections of the international community and human rights activists demanding the legalisation of same sex marriage in the country.

    Besides banning same sex marriage, Mark said it is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of not less than 14 years.

    He added that despite pressures from some quarters, the law has come to stay.

    Said he: “We will not compromise on this. I want you to join the crusade of decency in our society.

    “There are many good values we can copy from other societies, but not this one (same sex marriage).

    “We have to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of this unnatural way that we Nigerians promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity.

    “Every individual is a product of the union of a man and woman.”

    Senator Mark acknowledged the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the Church and pledged that the National Assembly would ensure religious freedom and peaceful co-existence.

    He added that it would support religious programmes that have positive bearing on Nigerians, condemning religious intolerance and extremism.

    Mark enjoined spiritual leaders to pray for good governance, peace and security.

    “We are doing our best to ensure the safety of life and property,” he said.

    Cardinal Onaiyekan thanked Pope Benedict X11, the government and people of Nigeria for their prayers and support, especially since his elevation to the Collage of Cardinals.

    He said he would be a crusader for peace and unity in Nigeria.

    The Chairman of the Reception Organising Committee, Rev. Father Innocent Jooji, noted that Onaiyekan, as a soldier of Christ, has brought honour to the nation with his elevation to the Collage of Cardinals.

     

     

  • Mark insists on Bill against same sex marriage

    Mark insists on Bill against same sex marriage

    President of the Senate, David Mark, has insisted that the Bill prohibiting same sex marriage is irrevocable.

    Mark spoke while addressing Catholic faithful and guests at the civic reception in honour of the Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan in Abuja at the weekend.

    He said the Bill would be passed into law irrespective of pressures from some sections of the international community and human rights activists demanding the legalization of same sex marriage in the country.

    Besides banning the same sex marriage, Mark said it is now a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of not less than 14 years.

    He added that in spite of the pressures from some quarters, the law has come to stay.

    He said: “We will not compromise on this. I want to invite you all to join the crusade of decency in our society.

    “There are many good values we can copy from other societies but certainly not this one (same sex marriage).

    “We have to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of this unnatural way that we Nigerians promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity.

    “Every individual is a product of the union of a man and woman.”

    He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the Nigerian State and the Church and pledged that the National Assembly would continue to do all within the law to ensure religious freedom and peaceful co-existence in the country.

    He added that the National Assembly would continue to support religious programmes that have positive bearing on Nigerians but was quick to condemn religious intolerance or extremism.

    He enjoined spiritual leaders to continue to pray for good governance, peace and security which are major challenges in the country today.

     

  • Mark sues for tolerance in Ebonyi

    Mark sues for tolerance in Ebonyi

    President of the Senate, David Mark, on Thursday called on the people of Ebonyi Central to forgive one another and live in harmony.

    Mark, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, gave the advice when the people of Ebonyi Central Senatorial District led by Senator Paulinus Igwe paid him a Christmas visit in Otukpo, Benue State.

    He said: “The people of Ebonyi Central had not had the best of peace in recent time, but Christmas is about living together in harmony and in peace.

    “The central message of Christianity is forgiveness and unless we can genuinely forgive one another we cannot be a good Christian.

    “It is not easy to forgive, particularly in situation where lives have been taken.

    “But Christ birth brought peace, the type that had not been known in the world before his coming.

    “He came and preached forgiveness. We must therefore as Christians, learn to forgive each other.

    “I therefore appeal to you to also appeal to those who are at home to allow peace to reign.

    “In this new year, we must make a resolution for peace to reign in Ebonyi Central.

    “I am willing to work to achieve this peace. If all leaders would make themselves available to work for peace in the little community, we will soon have peace as a nation.”

    The President of the Senate reiterated his support for the creation of additional states in the Federation.

     

  • Mark preaches love, harmony at Xmas

    Mark preaches love, harmony at Xmas

    President of the Senate, David Mark, on Monday congratulated Christians across the country for witnessing yet another Christmas.

    Mark in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja also urged Nigerians to continue to live peacefully.

    He enjoined Christian faithful in the country to always imbibe the teaching of Christ which emphasizes peace, cheerful-giving and above all love for one another.

    Mark said: “Christmas is a season to give and expect little in return.

    “It is a time to preach peace and exemplify it in line with the coming of Christ.

    “For us as a people, this is the time to forgive, be more united and forge ahead in our onerous task of building a very strong and vibrant nation which will be a pride of all Africans.”

    He urged all Nigerians to continue to live in peace and harmony and to emulate the virtues and exemplary life bequeathed to us by Jesus Christ for the good of all.

    Mark further assured that the National Assembly will continue to work in the best interest of every Nigerian in making laws for the good governance of the nation.