Politics

Former lawmakers, Political leaders, Stakeholders Plan on National Development

By Web News 496

By Abimbola Bamgbose

Former and serving political leaders have restated the importance of national unity as the foundation for Nigeria’s development.

This was the focus at the 2025 Southern Summit of Former Legislators, organised by the National Forum of Former Legislators, with the theme “National Unity: Bedrock of Nation Building,” held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In his goodwill message, Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the forum’s leadership for the initiative. He stressed that Nigeria could not attain true nationhood unless leaders and citizens deliberately embraced unity beyond faith and ethnicity.

Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the summit as a strategic meeting of experienced political leaders in Southern Nigeria to forge a common front for peace and unity. He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s “transformative leadership” and courage in undertaking difficult reforms aimed at building a resilient nation.

Delivering his remarks on behalf of President Tinubu, Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on reforms, infrastructure, human capital development, and inclusive governance. He highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy, establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and tax reforms as bold policies to secure Nigeria’s future.

Gbajabiamila praised the contributions of former legislators to nation-building and cited economic data showing improved growth, reduced deficits, and rising foreign investment as proof of progress. He urged Nigerians to embrace diversity, reject division, and work collectively to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

The summit brought together former lawmakers, political leaders, and stakeholders from across the southern region to deliberate on strengthening unity as the cornerstone of national development.

News

Nigeria at 61: “Let’s reflect on our existence as a nation,” – Peller

By Web News 920

A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Honourable Shina Peller has called on Nigerians to reflect deeply on the country’s existence as a sovereign nation with a view to correcting the wrong and making the country better.

Honorable Peller made this call on Friday 1st October 2021 in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 61st Independence anniversary.

In his message, the lawmaker reminded all that Nigeria’s strength lies in her unity in diversity and that for the country to progress appropriately, there is need for all to embrace love, unity and peace which he said can be achieved if everyone is fair in his/her dealings with fellow compatriots irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation.

The statement read: “I join well meaning Nigerians home and abroad in observing Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary”. “Fellow compatriots, as we celebrate a new independence year, we should know that every October 1 presents to us an opportunity to reflect deeply on our existence as a sovereign nation, identify our weaknesses and strengths with a view to leveraging on our unity in diversity”.

“Though at 61 as a sovereign country, Nigeria is still confronted with a lot of challenges such as insecurity, economic instability, infrastructural deficiency among other societal ills, we can still get things right with the right mindset and collective efforts devoid of selfishness, tribalism, religious violence and destructive politicking”.

“Importantly, we must know that where there is no love, peace and unity, there can never be meaningful progress, hence the need for us to love one another, embrace peace and unity irrespective of our political, ethnic or religious differences. In achieving this, we also need to be fair in our dealings with one another; no region or ethic group should be considered inferior to others, rather we should give equal right and sense of belonging to everyone especially in our political arrangements”.

“Looking back to 1st October 1960 when Nigeria got her independence, most of the people at the helm of the country’s affairs back then were young Nigerians whose interest and willingness to get involved in politics made it possible for them to assume leadership positions at youthful age. So, the current generation of youths should consider this as a challenge and get involved in the socio-political processes right from our various immediate communities”.

“And like I always say, the best way to achieve this is for youths to register as members of political parties so that we can decide who become candidates of these parties in the general elections. Also, it is very important that we register to get our PVCs so that we can vote in our preferred candidates when the time comes”.

“Once again, as we mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary, I enjoin fellow compatriots to live, act and work together peacefully in the overall interest of our country. Nigeria will be great again.”

Kola Popoola,

Press Secretary,

Office of Honourable Shina Peller.

1st October 2021.