Sen Sani Musa (APC-Niger) and Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, on has commended Nigerians for their steadfastness and loyalty to the nation in the past 64 years.
Musa said the loyalty 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 goodwill message issued on Monday in Kano to Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
He encouraged them 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 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 and reassess the odds we survived.
“It offers us the opportunity to 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 there was a sense of disappointment among Nigerians, especially the youths, on the nation’s failed aspirations, over the years, adding that such 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.
“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.
Musa said it was that spirit that pushed Nigerians to excel on the global stage in sports, medicine, music, arts, technology and scholarship, among others.
“As we mark yet another independence anniversary we should focus our energy towards enthroning equity, justice, peace and national cohesion.
“This is 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 said. ( NAN)
