PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday urged Nigerians to resolve, in the spirit of the New Year, to renew their commitments towards “earnestly and actively” moving the nation further along the path to true greatness.
On its part, the National Assembly, which lauded Nigerians’ resilience in 2007, pledged rapid economic development in the New Year. Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, spoke for the lawmakers.
Canvassing the support of Nigerians for his administration, the President said: “With your continued support, we shall, by the Grace of God Almighty, make very considerable progress this year towards the improvement of the living conditions of all Nigerians and the strengthening of our national institutions to faithfully fulfill their obligations to the citizenry at all times.”
In his New Year message to Nigerians, the President said 2008 promised to be very eventful in the progressive development of Nigeria.
He pledged that his administration would work with the National Assembly on the passage of the 2008 Appropriation Bill so that its implementation would kick-start government’s efforts to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
The full text of the President’s New Year message reads: “I salute and rejoice with you all as we usher in a New Year in our lives as individuals and in the life of our country. The year 2008 promises to be a very eventful one in the progressive development of our dear nation. Among other things, it will be the first in which a national budget entirely conceived by this administration will be implemented in furtherance of our national aspirations.
“We have already presented an appropriation bill to the National Assembly which clearly underscores our determination to give urgent and serious attention to the task of rehabilitating, expanding and developing our essential national infrastructure to accelerate the pace of growth in all sectors of our national economy.
“We will work in close cooperation with the leadership and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives in the coming days to ensure the speedy passage of the bill and guarantee adequate and timely funding for projects which have been conceived to fulfill our promises to Nigerians, especially in critical sectors which require urgent attention.
“My dear countrymen and women, I urge you all to include among your resolutions for the New Year, a renewed commitment to earnestly and actively supporting this administration’s efforts to rapidly move our beloved country further along the path to true greatness.
“With your continued support, we shall, by the Grace of God Almighty, make very considerable progress this year towards the improvement of the living conditions of all Nigerians and the strengthening of our national institutions to faithfully fulfill their obligations to the citizenry at all times.
“May God Almighty continue to bless and guide us all, and our dear country, Nigeria. I wish you all very happy New Year celebrations.”
Mark assured Nigerians of more rapid socio-economic development in 2008.
In a New Year message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Mark said: “It is the resolve of the current administration to improve all sectors of the economy. This administration is prepared to get it right this time. Our focus is the people. Our people must get priority attention because we are determined to provide the needed ingredients for rapid transformation of the economy.”
He disclosed that the executive and the legislative arms of government had decided to work in harmony with each other to achieve the common objective of improving the living standards of Nigerians.
The Senate president also called on the organised private sector to support efforts of government, which he said had already put more measures in place to encourage entrepreneurs’ investment.
The Senate helmsman said the National Assembly would from time to time review existing laws to make the business environment more attractive.
Bankole contended that Nigeria was gradually returning to the path of sanity and economic prosperity and believed that the resilience and doggedness that saw the citizenry through in 2007 would ensure they attain great heights in the New Year.
He also rejoiced with Nigerians for overcoming the challenges posed by the out-gone year.
The Speaker, who stated this in a New Year message to Nigerians signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said all hope was not lost for the nation as it is growing again.
Bankole, who expressed absolute trust in the nation’s ability to meet the expectations of its teeming populace, said achieving the desired height at both individual and national levels needed collective efforts.
His words: “There is no doubting the fact that Nigeria will fulfill all the hopes and aspirations of its people. I personally believe so. But we should all remain committed to the national goals and aspirations.”
He enjoined the citizenry to be law-abiding, more patriotic and sincere in their relationship with others.
Bankole expressed appreciation for the sacrifices the people have made over the years in view of the harsh economic situation, pledging that very soon, the various reforms of government would begin to translate into concrete economic gains.