Nigeria At 60: Senator Albert Felicitates President Buhari, Nigerians

The Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has felicitated President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians as Nigeria celebrates sixtieth year of statehood today.

In an Independence Day message issued in Abuja, titled, “Nigeria At 60: Salute To Our Fatherland and Time For Sober Reflection”, Senator Albert, who represents Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, also conveyed his salutation to Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Senator Albert, popularly called OBA, noted that Nigeria’s attainment of the diamond age of 60 is a mileage worth celebrating, especially considering the unquantifiable accomplishments and triumphs of the nation despite glimpses of multifaceted challenges.

He offered gratitude to the Almighty God for the immense act of benevolence upon the nation since independence.

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“The dawn of our anniversary today as a sovereign nation is quite evocative. It resonates with delight the memorable emergence of our dear country, Nigeria, amongst the comity of independent nations on that historic day of October 1, 1960.”

“The rise to self-rule, which ended British colonialism, effectively placed on Nigerians the leadership of Nigeria. It is therefore a mileage worth celebrating as our nation attains the diamond age of sixty. Our rejoicing is reinforced by our unquantifiable accomplishments and triumphs despite glimpses of multifaceted challenges,” he said.

The senator also paid immeasurable tributes to Nigeria’s “pathfinders, heroes and successive leadership for the struggle which led to the independence of our country and for their inputs for the survival and development of our dear nation – Nigeria.”

He said, “As we celebrate, let us ponder on the dire lessons of our history, using this period as a time for sober reflection. Let us hold on to the fact that “though tribes and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”. As the giant of Africa, we must arise as compatriots and reinvent the Nigeria of our dream, where “peace and justice shall reign”.

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According to him, the roadmap to attain our due heights as a blessed nation with abundance of natural and human resources is for all leaders in the various strata of our society; the government, formal and informal sectors, to unite and be conscientious, in conduct and service, to ensure a healthier and prosperous nation.

He reiterated that as Nigeria successfully overcame a daunting 30-month civil war, it was also possible that with unity of purpose, sincerity and total commitment, we can equally overpower and put behind us the seemingly intractable cases of insurgencies, and other avalanche of criminalities like banditry and kidnapping.

Senator Albert lauded “Agenda 2050 as put forward by President Muhammadu Buhari as the new development plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030”, stating that our development lies in our hands.

“Our collective resolve to enthrone peace, tranquillity and good governance will ensure that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain,” he added