2018: It is unfortunate that Nigeria is still underdeveloped despite all its blessings from God - Saraki laments, Obasa congratulates citizens

macfranc007 December 31, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Eromosele Ebhomele

Nigeria’s Senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has urged the citizens to continue to pray for the economy to take full shape in 2018 just as he extended his heart felt good wishes to all in the New Year.

In a New Year message signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki noted that a strong economy would enable government to achieve physical development and improved standard of living of the people.

Saraki’s statement came just when the speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, commended Nigerians for their courage, resilience and support in 2017, assuring that 2018 would bring in greater achievements by all tiers of government.

The Senate president added that God had blessed Nigeria with all the potentials necessary for her to have a strong economy that would take care of its growing population but that it was unfortunate that there is still so much underdevelopment in the country.

According to him, most of the problems now threatening the unity, progress and peace of the country are rooted in the poor state of the economy and there is need for the government and Nigerians to work together in 2018 to ensure the success of policies initiated to rebuild the economy, create employment, attract investment opportunities and make the nation self-sufficient.

"I wish all Nigerians overflowing happiness on this joyful occasion.

“The end of one year and the beginning of another is always a time that is 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.

“All of us deserve a chance to live a better life. This is why the Senate and indeed the eighth 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 realized.

“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 stated.

On his part, Obasa, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Musbau Rasak, said in spite of the challenges facing the country, the 2017 witnessed a lot of achievements particularly in Lagos state and that this has contributed to improved standard of living for the citizens and enhanced their welfare.

Obasa acknowledged the fact that while the country is still facing some challenges, government at all levels will not relent in putting in place measures and programmes that will enhance the welfare of the people.

“We recorded some great achievemnts in 2017 particularly in Lagos state where the Akinwunmi Ambode administration has done a lot to improve the standard of living of the people through massive construction and implementation of people-oriented programmes.

“There are still challenges but I want to assure you that government at all levels will not relent in putting in place measures, programmes, projects and policies that will enhance the welfare of our people in our aim to continue to improve their standard of living,” he said.

He commended Nigerians for remaining resilient, courageous, supportive and united in their resolve to cooperate with government at all levels to surmount the challenges.

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“While we remain united in our resolve to make Nigeria attain greater heights, we will continue to seek for your support, prayers, cooperation and understanding for the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at all levels.

“I want to assure you that 2018 will bring in greater achievements which will enhance the welfare of our people. I wish you all a prosperous and fulfilling year,” he said.

NAIJ.com earlier reported how the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday, December 31, described 2017 as one of the worst years in Nigeria and for its citizens just as it listed some of the challenges faced by the people and workers in some states of the federation.

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