January 02, (THEWILL) – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the New Year will be full of hope and optimism for Nigerians.
Atiku, who was also the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, said this in his New Year message to the nation on Friday.
He said, “The year 2021 came and went with challenges, especially the second, third and fourth waves of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic and sundry upsets that troubled the peace and security in different parts of the country; a depressing economy and many touching stories of tragedies.
“For Nigerians, who lost their loved ones to these calamities, it is my prayer that God shall continue to comfort them and their bereaved families.
“But this New Year, 2022 promises to be a remarkable one. It is one year that will be filled with hope and optimism, which comes with a unique opportunity for us to redefine the remainder of this decade.
“Moving forward into the decade of the 2020s, our New Year resolution should be about eschewing divisive and parochial tendencies and embracing inclusion and the general good”.
Noting that Nigerians cannot continue to kick the same can down the road, the former Vice President added, “We need a reawakening that must invigorate our unity as one people of one good country. That is the commitment that we must pursue in this New Year.
“We must seek to do something different and, in doing so, let us become peace ambassadors of God. Hate and strife never build a nation. They even destroy the individual faster. Rather, unity and understanding bind a nation together.
“Unlike hate and strife, an individual that chooses a life of unity and common understanding finds inner peace and love”.
He congratulated Nigerians on the New Year, 2022, urging everyone to abide with the task of “washing our hands off every molecule of hate and strife and immerse our hearts in unity, love and peace.
Also in his message to the nation, Senate President Ahmad Lawan congratulated Nigerians everywhere as 2021 tapered out into what he hoped would become a happy and prosperous 2022.
Describing 2021 as very challenging for Nigerians and millions of other people all over the world, he said it was praiseworthy that beyond the challenges, Nigerians could see the rays of a bright future from the New Year.
He said, “As your elected representatives, our new year pledge is to continue to pursue our common desire of a just, peaceful and prosperous country.
“We promise to continue to discharge this responsibility without fear or malice, confident that by working in harmony, Nigerians will build the great country that is their abiding dream and manifest destiny.
“Without a doubt, insecurity is today one of our biggest challenges. However, I can attest that the government is resolutely addressing these challenges.
“As a critical contribution to that effort, the National Assembly has appropriated more funds in the 2022 budget to enhance the operational capabilities of our security agencies.
“My message to fellow Nigerians is that we should not lose faith in our country and its democratic institutions. The current challenges will be overcome and become mere footnotes in our glorious national history.
“The ninth National Assembly is focused and will never be distracted from the implementation of its Legislative Agenda as we had spelt out following our inauguration in 2019.
“Within the context of that Agenda, we have passed many critical bills and have many more to roll out in the new year.
“At the beginning of 2021, we made specific promises to the Nigerian people with respect to our legislative focus. We are proud that we have kept those promises.
“For instance, breaking the jinx of the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB), which had defied passage for about two decades, was high on our agenda in 2021. With the cooperation of the Executive and the support of the key stakeholders, we were able to break the jinx. We passed the bill and got it signed into law in 2021.
“This piece of legislation will significantly impact the Nigerian economy and propel a significant turnaround in our oil and gas sector.”
The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, urged Nigerians to work together to restore Nigerians on the path of greatness and to be committed to its development.
Arapaja, in a press release made available to journalists through his Special Assistant on News media and Publicity, Mr Bamitale Ibrahim, felicitated with other citizens on the beginning of the New Year.
He urged Nigerians to keep all hope alive as the new horizon beckons, saying, “Let us continue to persevere, for our desired and people oriented government of PDP would soon come in to give us the desired development and growth we deserve.”
The Deputy National Chairman, South of PDP also appreciated the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, for his unprecedented support and appealed to the peace-loving people of Oyo State to continue to give him the maximum support needed in the new year.
He said, “Dear patriots, we need to continue showcasing to the entire world our law abiding nature. We should be diligent to our country, knowing full well that we have no other place to call our home. The good news is that, the Pharaoh we see today, soonest, we shall see them no more through our renewed efforts and total dedication to PDP.”
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