(By Kemi Yesufu – ABUJA)
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called on Nigerians to pray for a full recovery of the economy in 2018.
Saraki, in a New Year message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said a strong economy would enable government to achieve physical development and improved standard of living of the people.
Saraki said. “The end of one year and the beginning of another is always a time full of hope. While 2017 was challenging for many Nigerians, we must look back on the year with the knowledge that better days are ahead.
“Although we still have so much to do to achieve our desired individual and national objectives, let us rise up with courage and determination to make the situation better.”
While lauding the resilience of Nigerians in the face of national challenges and their avowed love for the unity and greater progress for the country, he noted that every Nigerian deserve a better deal.
“All of us deserve a chance to live a better life; this is why the Senate and, indeed, the 8th National Assembly will continue to collaborate with the executive to ensure that all the policies and programmes of the present administration, targeted at making life more meaningful for the people, are realised.
“The National Assembly will not spare efforts in passing more laws that will serve as catalyst for our economic stability and growth. Laws that will help make our businesses thrive. Laws that will enhance the creation of jobs and put more money in the pockets of our people,” he said.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to the unity and progress of the country.
Describing Nigerians as a people of common destiny in his New year message, the Speaker called on them to draw on the lessons learnt in the outgoing year to strengthen the bonds of unity and solidarity.
“The new year presents an opportunity for stock taking and a strong resolve to sustain the gains of Nigeria’s exit from economic recession. Improvement of Nigeria’s economy, security and welfare of Nigerians must remain our priority in the new year,” he said.
Dogara said the House of Representatives will continue to pass laws that will better the lives of Nigerians, create conducive business environment for investment and secure the lives and properties of the citizens.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff, has appealed to Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, as he works on addressing some of the challenges confronting the country.
Lasun, who called on Nigerians within and outside the country, to pray for the progress of the country, also said the country can only experience development in an atmosphere of peace.
He, therefore, stressed the need for Nigerians to eschew violence, bitterness and suspicion in the coming year.