October 01, (THEWILL) – The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa, has commended Nigerians for their steadfastness and loyalty to the nation.
Musa said this came in the face of the modest successes recorded and the development challenges the country had faced since independence.
He made the commendation in a message to Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
The lawmaker encouraged Nigerians not to despair “but to remain committed to the task of charting a more progressive path for a greater tomorrow”.
He said the anniversary offered citizens and leaders of the country the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey of nationhood since independence.
“It is now 64 years since our dear country got her independence from Britain. This commemoration offers us the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s great journey of nationhood; proclaim our modest strides, reassess the odds we survived, chart a path out of present challenges and renew our hopes for a greater tomorrow.
“Our country has seen progress as well as setbacks. Patriotic Nigerians, believing in their country, have always stood firm, sharing in the glory of successes and feeling the pain of missed opportunities,” the lawmaker said.
He said if there is a sense of disappointment among the population, especially the youths, on the nation’s failed aspirations over the years, such a feeling was not entirely out of place.
“Yet, rather than despair, we should look back at the encouraging signposts that set the tone for an auspicious future and the promise that we could attain our growth and development goals.
“Our nation survived a civil war, pulled through economic downturns at different times and has continued to hold its ground against threatening socio-political challenges, leveraging that indomitable spirit that guided our nationalists to remain steadfast and focused.
“This is the same disposition that today strengthens our citizens and enlivens their spirit and hope against the menace of terrorism, insecurity, economic hardship and worsening effects of climate change,” he said.
The lawmaker said that it is the spirit that pushed Nigerians to excel on the global stage in sports, medicine, music, arts, technology and scholarship.
“As we mark yet another independence anniversary, we should focus our energy towards enthroning equity, justice, peace and national cohesion in order to bring to fruition the dream of Nigeria realising its full potential and holding up the torch of liberty and progress for all Africans,” he added.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
