By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that Nigeria can only harness its economic potentials when her people live together harmoniously, irrespective of tribal, religious and political affiliations.
Saraki, while receiving the Northern Reawakening Forum (NRF), led by Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia in Abuja, said the country was blessed with abundant resources and that the only way to ensure their efficient utilisation is for all the geo-political zones to contribute their quota to the growth of the economy.
He said every part of the country was important and should be encouraged to actively participate in the development of the nation.
Saraki said: “It becomes a concern when any part of the country cannot meet up its obligation. Our objective in the 8th Senate is to encourage the diveification of the economy by developing other sectors like agriculture, mining, industrialisation and other viable areas with the aim of creating employment and a robust economic environment across the country.
“We must set out our priorities. We must show that there is a difference in our legislative activities. We must meet up with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians who have sacrificed so much for us during the last elections.
“I am confident that this Senate will continue to partner and work closely with every stakeholder in our resolve to give the nation the dividends of democracy.”
Earlier, Kumalia said his group came into existence three years ago with the aim of finding solutions to the myriad of challenges faced by the Northern Nigeria.
He said the association had been engaging governments at all levels on how to contain the inter-ethnic and religious crisis, high level of illiteracy, exploration of oil in the North, agricultural development and insecurity.
“We have convened series of meetings with the people, religious leaders and other warring groups aimed at bringing to end the spate of crisis in the North. We are keen on harmonious living between Christians and Muslims in this country.
“We suggested developmental initiatives to both governments and concerned groups through our teams of experts. We have to discuss the way forward. That is the reason why we are here.
Industrialisation of the North, dredging of the River Niger, the PIB, insecurity, improved agriculture and investment in education are those lingering issues we in the North want this government to address as a matter of urgency”, he said.
Kumalia, who commended the Senate President for rising up to the challenges being faced by Nigerians, also assured that the Forum would not relent in partnering with the National Assembly towards addressing the challenges.
