The senator representing Nasarawa South senatorial district in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has cautioned people of Nasarawa State to continue to use their different backgrounds as a point of strength, unity and harmony, instead of capitalizing on it for divisive tendencies.
The senator, a former governor of the state, made the call in Lafia on Wednesday in an interactive session with journalists on the upcoming Independence Day celebration, which is usually celebrated annually on October 1st.
October 1st is also celebrated by the state as its day of creation, based on the fact that the state was created by the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha on October 1, 1996.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker said, “Since the creation of the state, people of the state, despite their religious and ethnic backgrounds, have been patient with one another, loyal, committed to the administrations in place so far, thereby allowing the influx of sustained peace and development into the state.
“We wouldn’t have attained the achievements we have achieved so far if all these attributes and good citizenship that the people of Nasarawa State have exhibited so far have not been put in place.”
Thanking the people for shunning divisive tendencies that could have hampered the steady economical and developmental growth enjoyed in the state so far, Al-Makura said, “I want to commend them, all the people of Nasarawa state, all tribes, all the religions including our new indigenes. The commitment they have and the faith they have for the future of Nasarawa State and the unity and togetherness they have continued to exhibit has oiled the wheel of progress in this state.
“I also want to commend the people of the state for being their brothers’ keepers. In the course of one’s development, in the course of a statehood, there are a lot challenges, differences but in all these, the people of Nasarawa State are one indivisible people.”
He explained that the unity and togetherness enjoyed in the state was because of the mindset, psychology, discipline, faith and commitment of the people of the state for the future of the state, adding, “I commend them and I will want to urge them that at a time like this, as we celebrate, lets expect greater celebration. But this greater celebration cannot come without peace and understanding.
“God has created us here as one people with different backgrounds. Let those differences be our strength. We should continue to respect each other’s background, culture, religion, interests and sensibilities so that we can have a better future.”
He then commended the current administration, led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, for expanding infrastructural developments, creating industrial platforms and opening the state to commercial and economic activities.
He said, “I urge the state government to continue in that direction because at the stage of our economic situation in Nigeria, nothing will lift the state to greater heights faster than creating a conducive economic environment.”
