The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with Nigerians on the 55th independence anniversary of the country.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said that although Nigeria is facing multifarious challenges, nonetheless the country has witnessed significant improvement in some areas.
Dogara said that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the 55 years of independence and over 100 years of existence. “I will urge our people to use this period to give thanks to God for keeping the country one despite many upheavals and prophesies if doom,” he said.
The Speaker admitted that when compared with other developing countries, Nigeria is far left behind in many areas and is ranked among the lowest in the human development index, but expressed hope that “happy times will be here again.”
He said, rather than grieving over the problems and challenges facing the country, Nigerians must as a matter of necessity move away from lamentation and hopelessness to a new era of hope and positivity about the future of the country.
He noted that Nigerian leaders were not unaware of the task before them but they also require sacrifice by all Nigerians.
“We will plead with our people not to lose hope in their leaders as most nations have passed through similar challenges and emerged stronger. I have strong hope and conviction that Nigeria, will also overcome these challenges. This too, shall pass away and happy times be will here again.
“The new APC government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has not left anyone in doubt as to its readiness to restructure, and re-position the country on the path of socio-economic development.
“While it is the responsibility of government to provide the conducive atmosphere to all citizens to realise their potentials, we all, must work to make Nigeria work again because the era of waste and impunity has gone.
“The new leadership in the country under our great political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is determined to provide quality leadership and return Nigeria to its rightful place in the comity of nations.
“The 8th House of Representatives will continue to enact people-oriented legislation that would be targeted at solving the current socio-economic and security challenges in line with our legislative agenda.
“I commend efforts made by the military to recover large swath of territories from the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East region.
“I call on all citizens to support the fight against terrorism so that millions of our people who are internally displaced with some being refugees in other countries will return home and live in peace, freedom and happiness.
“This period calls for sober reflection and Nigerians should not relent in their prayers for the unity and indivisibility of the country.”
