Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that with the efforts being put in place by both the federal executive and the legislature, Nigeria will work as a growing nation.
Speaking today, July 13 when he submitted the report of the National Security Summit held on May 26, 2021, to President Muhammadu Buhari, Gbajabiamila acknowledged the efforts of the President in dousing tension and making Nigeria to remain one.
“It’s about all of us, not just the Executive, the legislature or the judiciary. And Nigeria will work, by the grace of God.”
Gbajabiamila said that the report was a product of inputs by traditional rulers, scholars, independent thinkers, and security chiefs, and that it contains seven recommendations that require legislative action, and about 19 that will be implemented by the Executive.
The Speaker said that the summit became imperative after lawmakers were bombarded daily by their constituents on the security challenges facing the country, “and motions after motions were moved by the lawmakers.”
“A committee of 50 lawmakers, across party, religious and ethnic lines, he said, was set up to plan the summit, “and Mr President was very eager and enthusiastic about it, showing the importance you place on security.”
Speaker Gbajabiamila thanked the President for endorsing the security summit conducted by the House, adding: “You were part of it from the very beginning, and you were to have declared it open, if not for the exigencies of duty.”
This was even as President Buhari considered Nigeria a lucky country “and we should congratulate ourselves, despite challenges that could have torn us apart.”
The President commended the 9th National Assembly for its cooperation with the Executive, adding that he tried very hard to get the 8th Assembly to do same for the sake of the country, “but I didn’t succeed much. But time has proved me right.”
The President restated his determination to serve the country to the best of his ability, recalling his visits to the 36 States during the campaign for 2019 elections.
“The number of people that turned out to see me, some waiting for 10 hours in the sun, was more than anyone could buy, or force. They just wanted to see who this Buhari was. People wonder why Nigerians accept me, despite not being rich. I wonder, too. I felt I just have to serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability.”
