Osun Assembly urges Nigerians to embrace 2016 with optimism and faith

Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of its Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam has charged Nigerians to approach the new year with high sense of hope, optimism, positive attitude and unshakable faith.

The house also called for fervent prayers for peace, a pre-requisite for development, spirit of sacrifice from the citizenry in view of the myriads of challenges confronting the nation, as well as mutual trust needed for nation building.

The calls were made through a statement to mark the New Year 2016 celebration, issued by the Chairman House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye on behalf of the assembly.

Describing the year 2016 as one of great expectations, hope, possibilities and challenges, the Assembly, said though the nation is presently at economic crossroads and not yet the nation of our 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 Nigeria the global giant of Africa that it was destined to be.

Stressing that Nigeria has every ingredient for greatness, Oyintiloye maintained that with tenacity of purpose reversal of downturn of fortune was achievable.

He pointed that the challenges facing the country may 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 is on course, stressing that the initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the country is robust and believable.

The Assembly noted that Nigerians of all faith must unite in the new year to collectively summon the courage to tackle the present challenges, with a view to making Nigeria the global giant of Africa that it was destined to be.

“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, includes prompt payment of taxes, obeying environmental and other laws, and most importantly, respecting the rights of others in all spheres of life, among others.

Suing for love among Nigerians, it said the style of President Buhari in fighting the tension and violence in the North and other parts of the country showed that Nigerian would soon be freed from the hostilities.

“We salute the people of Osun for their courage, candour, and perseverance in the face of the 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 level.

“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.