63rd Independence Anniversary: Akpabio Seeks National Rebirth, Public Trust In Elected Leaders

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has again re-emphasised that Nigerians stand a lot to gain in the continued existence and unity of the country.

He also advocated for a robust national rebirth, in consonance with the dreams and aspirations of the nation’s founding fathers that will make it emerge from its challenges as a virile nation.

Akpabio stated this in an address at a symposium organised to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.

The Chairman of the 10th National Assembly expressed optimism in the capacity of President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima to pilot the country to enhanced prosperity.

His words: “To those who may feel that Nigeria has nothing to celebrate because of the tough economic times we are in, let me remind them that every sunset is a welcome opportunity to reset and reboot, and every sunrise should be met with new perspectives. Let them not mistake the present pains of childbirth which comes with expectation for the pains of constipation which only comes with bile.

“History has not shown that the building of our nation proceeded at a wise pace, neither that Nigeria stood upon firm foundations at Independence. The foundations were not firm enough to resist the inordinate ambition of five majors. They were not firm enough to withstand the drumbeats of civil war.  The challenge of every generation of Nigerians, thereafter, has been to fortify and strengthen the foundations of our dear country so that they could hold our collective aspirations and expectations.

“In 1999, after several hopes were betrayed, after several false starts and disappointments, after despair gave way to malaise, Nigerians, led by the statesman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, stormed the gates of destiny, cleared the cobwebs of military rule and made way for democracy.

“We can now see that Alhaji Balewa was prophetic. We now have firm foundations – strong enough to hold our democracy for 24 years and set to hold it forever. Therefore, we should not let our present circumstances which are temporary becloud our permanent  sense of pride that we now have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Elections give us a government of the people as we vote. Representation and appointments give us a government by the people. But responsible, people focused governance gives us the government for the people.

“I declare that the administration of our dear President, His Excellency Senator Bola Tinubu, is a government for the people. As long as this administration keeps in step with the people, speaks the language of the people and sees things through the eyes of the people, the Tenth National Assembly will walk with them. This administration will not walk alone.”

Quoting copiously from the Independence speech of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, Akpabio expressed the unflinching support of the legislature to the actualisation of the present administration’s good governance blueprint.

The Senate President said it is time for citizens to emerge as a strong entity ignited for prosperity, through joining hands together for nation-building.

“Compatriots, the time has come for Nigerians to stop waiting for the nation they want and start being the nation we all want. No matter the pain and difficulty, we must never give up on our dreams or lose our confidence in our leaders. Let us continue in the pathway of patriotism no matter how bad the twists and turns on the road,” Akpabio stressed further.

• Sodiq Yusuf