Nigeria@64: Bauchi senator urges action against biting poverty

As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Day, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has called on President Bola Tinubu and other leaders at both the federal and state levels to do more towards alleviating the suffering of the masses.

Umar, who represents Bauchi South and is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, made the call in a statement to mark the country’s anniversary in Abuja.

“On the occasion of the 64th anniversary of our dear country, Nigeria, I join fellow compatriots in commemorating this momentous day.

“As the Senator representing one of the largest constituencies in the country, I believe that one of the major points to observe is that our country is going through one of its hardest periods since independence.

“As a true believer in Almighty God, I must say that these critical times are a consequence of our collective actions and omissions, which combine to question our national resolve, character, and collective virtues.

“This fact is important to stress so that rather than continue in the blame game, leaders and their subjects across all levels should look into the mirror and understand what the actual issues are and what exactly needs to be done to address them.

“Both conventional and all other humanly visible avenues must constantly be mobilised in the journey to national rebirth, where the greatest happiness of the greatest number presents a challenge that we all must face head-on.

“Together, we will feel the comfort of a promising tomorrow.

“For Mr. President and other leaders at the federal level, I say that the times call for sober reflection, continuous engagement, and determination to do more to alleviate the suffering of ordinary people,” he said.

According to him, it is noteworthy to observe that some of the government’s policies may have started yielding fruits, but that should only serve as further motivation for leaders to do more so that the purchasing power of the common man and access to basic facilities of life are improved.

The lawmaker said that over the years, insecurity in its various forms and dimensions has become a recurring issue that has added to the challenges of poverty and deteriorating living conditions for the common man.

“But with prayers, more efforts from all of us, and better results from our men and officers on the frontlines of operations to combat these problems, we shall get it right.

“To my party, the APC, I commend the efforts made at both national and state levels towards fostering genuine reconciliation, rebuilding the party, and proffering pragmatic ideas, suggestions, and other value-added services that will engender the much-needed turnaround in our country.

“I hope and pray that the momentum will be sustained, and together with our elected leaders, Nigerians will soon witness a new lease of life,” he said.

He urged everyone, “especially the leaders, to soberly reflect and rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation and its great people while relating to the common man in a manner that encourages them to play their part.”

Umar enumerated some of his achievements in the senatorial district.

“Coming back to my constituency of Bauchi South, I give glory to Allah (SWT) for what we have been able to achieve thus far in terms of providing quality representation and delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

“Along with other achievements recorded, part of the icing on the cake will be the flagging off of some community roads, with the first in the series of our plans being the one in Zaranda town, which is scheduled for next weekend, in-sha-Allah.

“In the same vein, our efforts towards the completion of the process for the establishment of the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Toro, a Custom Training School in Bauchi, and other life-enhancing interventions for the benefit of our people will continue in full gear.

“The idea is that we spare no effort in making life better for our people, whose mandate and the privilege that comes with it have made it possible for us to have recorded the successes already attained,” he said.

He added that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as an opposition party in Bauchi State, would continue to constructively engage the PDP-led government towards ensuring a better life for the people.