*Canvasses Support For Buhari, Urges Prayers For Nigeria’s Continued Unity
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
Ahead of Nigeria’s attainment of 60th independence anniversary tomorrow, October 1, 2020, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has maintained that the country has shown evident and unusual resilience in the face of odds.
DSP Omo-Agege who said this in his message to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, appealed to all those agitating and canvassing for the break- up of the country to review their position and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to help make Nigeria a better place for the current and up-coming generation of Nigerians .
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Though Senator Omo-Agege who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution acknowledged that COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the economies of many nations across the world, including Nigeria, he is however very optimistic that the country will overcome the challenges precipitated by the pandemic. The Deputy Senator President who urged Nigerians to keep praying for the continued peace and unity of the country said there was sufficient basis for optimism as Nigeria has manifested great resilience in the face of all odds.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga, DSP Omo-Agege said, “Today, in spite of our past and current challenges, we are alive to witness and celebrate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.”
He explained: “”No doubt, those who focus on our half-empty cup see unending challenges while the majority appreciate our modest successes in overcoming the countless obstacles in our journey to nationhood. True, we have great tasks ahead of us in every sector but it is also a fact that where we are today in terms of the number of schools, democratic growth, roads infrastructure, general development and population are incomparable to where we were when we began in 1960.
“Today, due to the patriotic commitment and great sacrifices of our heroes past and patriots still alive, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate unusual resilience in the face of many odds. The Covid-19 pandemic that currently ravages the entire globe has affected many of our people – fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, our friends and colleagues –but we stand together, confident that we shall again, overcome this and other current challenges.
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“In no small measure, our teachers whose efforts signpost significant beginnings in millions of lives and our military whose resolute commitment to making supreme sacrifices for the sake of Nigeria, are among those very excellent examples who continue to give us inspiration and hope. It is the aspiration to achieve a better future for coming generations that gave birth to Nigeria’s ruling party, the APC”.
Senator Omo-Agege while also throwing light on the on-going Constitution Review exercise as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution , said the Senate would be fair to all, even as he disclosed that the panel has received memoranda from all sections of the country.
He said: “Indeed, part of our collective effort towards evolving democratic growth and national development is reflected in the work of the Senate’s Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution which I chair. The Committee has received memoranda from all sections of Nigeria and sustained vigorous interest as well as participation in our plans for a constitutional amendment that will enable us all to further improve our nation’s prospects for peace and progress, unity and development.
“I call on all those calling for the dismemberment of Nigeria to join this government in its effort to make Nigeria a better place for the current and coming generations.”
“At 60, Nigeria like most nations on earth has gone through difficulties as it continues to move towards the creation of a prosperous life for all. I firmly believe that we are on course to true greatness. Let us keep hope alive as we renew our collective resolve to ensure that the hopes and labour of our heroes is transformed into a better future for succeeding generations”, he added.
