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Nigeria @ 51
Mark says
Nigeria is unbreakable,tasks
NLC, govts on unemployment
Newsdiaryonline Fri Sep
30,2011
President of the senate, Senator David Mark, has for the
umpteenth time assured Nigerians that in spite of the challenges
of nationhood including threat to security, Nigeria will remain
united and unbreakable.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the nation at her 51st
independence anniversary urged Nigerians not to despair because
there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
He listed measures being adopted by government to address the
security challenges to include massive recruitment and regular
training of security operatives, adequate appropriation to
agencies, enlightenment and community participation in
surveillance.
Senator Mark admitted the challenges of insecurity facing the
nation and submitted that it is an unfortunate phase in our
nationhood, “which we must collectively rise to surmount.”
“We had the unfortunate experience of over 30 months old
fratricidal civil war, fought with much hate and bitterness but
by sheer providence, we came out of it and picked our pieces.
“It is a sad commentary we hate to remember. But this fresh
security challenge largely fuelled by aggrieved youths and some
extremists is one trouble too many.
“We can only appeal to the conscience of the aggrieved to
sheathe their swords, embrace dialogue so that we can all find a
common solution to our common problem rather than resort to
violence. Destruction of lives and property or venting anger on
your fellow citizen or foreigner can only aggravate the
situation and further distance us from the solution.
“Whatever the anger or misgivings, dialogue and resort to
defined channels of communication remain the best option”. Mark
urged.
He was however pleased that majority of Nigerians abhor violence
but stressed that, “we must do more to reignite the African
spirit of being our brothers’ keeper.”
The President of the Senate noted that Nigeria is blessed with
men and women of uncommon potentials coupled with abundant
mineral resources. According to him, “We all may not be good
artists, doctors, lawyers, engineers or great writers but we can
collaborate and harness our potentials for the good of all.
“All we need do as a people is to develop where we have
comparative advantage over others so that we can build an
egalitarian society, a prosperous nation, where no one or group
would feel cheated or marginalized.”
He stressed that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly
will continue to enact appropriate legislations that would
engender peace, progress and development in all ramifications,
saying, “we shall continue to stand on a solid foundation of
truth, honesty and fairness in the discharge of our duties”.
In a statement signed by
Paul Mumeh ,his chief press secretary today
Mark said henceforth, the National Assembly would be
unkind to any Ministry, department and agency that fail to
comply with Appropriation Acts adding, “We can no longer accept
a situation where we pass annual budgets that fall short of
expected standard of implementation.”
Senator Mark therefore called on Nigerians to show understanding
and cooperate with leaders and avoid cynicism and unwarranted
attack which will not advance our course.
Also,worried by the growing rate of employment on account of
collapse of industries, President of the Senate, Senator David
Mark, has implored governments at all levels to create a
conducive atmosphere for industries to thrive.
Such industries he opined will create jobs and address once and
for all the menace of unemployment and insecurity in the land.
Addressing a delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)
and their Canadian counterpart led by Nigeria’s Abdulwaheed
Omar, Senator Mark said both government and the private sector
must rise up to the challenge and tackle the issue of
unemployment.
He said the objectives of the labour unions are to better the
lots of average Nigerian workers which he said is one of the
priorities of the legislature although the approaches may
differ.
Senator Mark further stressed, “Governments understand the
predicament of the workers in the discharge of their duties,
even in the area of welfare and support, we must all continue to
embrace dialogue in resolving our differences and also cooperate
with the NLC to make sure that the welfare of Nigerian workers
is improved.”
He urged his guests to see Nigeria as a peaceful State where
lawlessness is undesirable, urging the international community
to change their negative impression they nurse about Nigeria and
her citizens.
“Nigeria occupies a strategic position in Africa; we are going
to work hard to make sure that we change the impression most
nations nurse about us.” Mark said.
Speaking earlier, the President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar said he
appreciates the President of the Senate for believing in the
course of the labour adding that the National Assembly has been
supportive of most of the labour’s initiatives.
Omar stressed that the NLC is collaborating with other
international unions in putting in place the rules and
principles that govern them so as to operate in tandem with
global best practices.
He therefore called on governments at all levels to be more
concerned with the welfare of Nigerian workers so as to improve
on productivity.
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