The Osun State House of Assembly has advised Nigerians to approach 2016 with a high sense of hope, optimism, positive attitude and unshakable faith.
The House also called for prayers for
peace, spirit of sacrifice from the citizenry in view of the challenges
confronting the nation as well as mutual trust needed for nation
building.
The calls were made in a statement to
mark the New Year 2016 celebration, by the Chairman, House Committee on
Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, on behalf of the
Assembly.
Describing 2016 as one full of great
expectations, hope, possibilities and challenges, the Assembly said
though the nation was at an economic crossroads and not yet the nation
of Nigerians’ collective dream, it potentially still remained a land of
illimitable opportunities and great possibilities.
The parliament said Nigerians of all faith must unite to make the country a global giant of Africa that it was destined to be.
Stressing that Nigeria had every
ingredient for greatness, Oyintiloye maintained that with tenacity of
purpose, reversal of fortune was achievable.
He pointed that the challenges facing
the country might be obvious in socio-economic front, there was the need
to build confidence in the capacities of the present government to
achieve its developmental goals.
The House expressed confidence that the
change project was on course, stressing that the initiative of President
Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the country was robust and achievable.
The Assembly noted that Nigerians of all
faith must unite in the New Year to collectively summon the courage to
tackle the present challenges to make Nigeria the global giant of Africa
that it was destined to be.
The statement reads, “Nigeria has every
ingredient for greatness; with our ardent posture, assertive nature, and
tenacity of purpose matched with stupendous natural resources, immense
success is attainable.
“Despite the crippling weaknesses of
today’s economy imposed on us by the huge corruption of past government,
drop in the price of oil and all such factors that undermine genuine
development, it is needful to support a well focused leader and
government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Nigerians collectively must assume
their duties to work with the present democratic government in fighting
our challenges, especially as it relates to corruption, economy and
insecurity to guarantee social equality that will guide us to our
envisioned society.
“This will accelerate implementation of
programmes that will satisfy the long-neglected needs and aspirations of
the people; through practical education, gainful employment, extensive
and efficient infrastructure, a diversified and buoyant economy, access
to healthy living, security of lives and property, and end to all forms
of corruption, their concomitant effects, and the beginning of peace and
prosperity for all.
“More than anything else, this is a year
to celebrate our collective resurgence, a year to reconnect with the
purpose of our dreams, re-engineer our resilient nature, encourage
perseverance, renew hope, revive our values, and create inexhaustible
opportunities for our people.”
To make a government to thrive and
achieve the collective goal of nation-building, the Assembly said the
people must fulfil their obligations to the state and nation as a whole
as individuals and organisations.
These obligations, according to the
parliament, include prompt payment of taxes, obeying environmental and
other laws, and most importantly, respecting the rights of others in all
spheres of life.
It added, “We salute the people of Osun
for their courage, candour and perseverance in the face of economic
challenges, and we urge that you keep hopes alive as we have governments
that are committed to the welfare of the people both at the state and
national levels.
“As we celebrate the New Year, we look
forward, not only to the opportunities it brings, but also the changes
that we anticipate and are indeed prepared for,” the Assembly said.
The legislature assured that in the
new year, the assembly would not shirk from its legislative
responsibilities and will sustain its commitment to the larger interest
of the citizenry.
by Folorunso Seun
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