He said as the country celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary, all hands must be on deck to foster unity, peace and reconciliation.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said all Nigerians must work tirelessly to promote the tenets of democracy, good governance and responsible citizenry.
He appealed to the political elite to moderate their utterances and be mindful of their responsibility to the country. He said with elections scheduled for 2015, all leaders must lay emphasis on executing the mandates given to them by Nigerians, not heating up the polity by engaging in unnecessary politicking when it not yet time for such endeavours.
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, who reviewed the state of affairs in the country under democratic order, stated that leaders should not seek elective offices simply for the sake of power if they lack the vision to push economic growth, which in turn, creates employment and greater prosperity for the citizens.
According to him, “the economy is central to everything and demands vision driven leadership to move forward.”
He lamented that “our economy has weakened in the past few years with crippling unemployment, especially among our youth. Nigeria has become unable to deliver the goods and services to give our people a decent standard of living and dignity.”
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) splinter group, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, in his independence anniversary message said the stance of members of his group on the crisis rocking the PDP is in the interest of the masses.
He assured Nigerians that promoters of the ‘new’ PDP would not rest on their oars until all the wrongs and the lopsidedness in the polity are corrected.
It’s time to renew faith in Nigeria, says Oduah
• PFN urges love for one another
From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin) and Omotola Oloruntobi (Abuja)
AVIATION Minister, Stella Adaeze Oduah, said more than ever before, this year’s celebration is a time for all Nigerians to renew their faith and commitment to the indivisibility of the nation.
She spoke as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) called on all Nigerians to use the period for sober reflection and to embrace the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Oduah expressed belief that in spite of all the challenges in the country, the founding fathers of Nigeria were not wrong in bringing the various ethnic nationalities to form one nation, stressing that Nigeria’s greatest asset remains her diversity which, regrettably has yet to be cultivated to its fullest potential for the benefit of all.
In a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Joe Obi, she said: “The challenges of nationhood which Nigeria currently faces are not different from similar challenges which the nations we hold up as role models today faced during their periods of nation building. What is probably different is the several missed opportunities to consolidate on the gains of the past and the huge potentials which the different nationalities can bring to the table to build a stronger, united, indivisible nation founded on the principles of justice, equity and fairness.
“Yet, all hope is not lost. As we deeply reflect on the journey so far, we must collectively as Nigerians renew our faith and commitments to the ideals of an indivisible nation founded on shared values, dreams and aspirations. We must also tap into and harness the great potentials of our peoples for the purpose of building the nation of our dreams.”
The minister described the current security challenges posed by the Boko Haram Sect and other terrorist groups in the country as a major distraction to the Federal Government and its determination to fully actualise its Transformation Agenda. She called on all Nigerians of goodwill to join efforts with the government to eradicate the menace.
In its independence goodwill message endorsed by its National President, Dr. Felix Omobude, PFN urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of discord and take on the task of nation-building in one accord.
“Let us show love to one another, as we let peace and justice prevail in our land”, Dr. Omobude said, noting that the tendencies that tend to “pull us apart are infinitesimal when placed side by side with the interests we share as a people.”
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