President of the Senate, David Mark on Wednesday harped on peace and unity of Nigeria as the needed elixir for meaningful development.
Mark who is the chairman of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), 1967 Alumni Association said the unity and mutual co existence of Nigeria should not be compromised for any pecuniary interest.
He said this when he led members of the association on a courtesy visit on former military president General Ibrahim Babangida at his Minna, Niger State country home that the group was in the state for its Annual General meeting held on every September 03 otherwise called reunion meeting.
The Senate President explained that the reunion meeting every year rotates across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory during which they give scholarship to children and other less privileged members of the society.
According to him, “it is part of our contributions and ultimately giving back to the society .We do this every year and where necessary we offer useful advice to leaders at various levels”.
He specially eulogized Babangida for nurturing them through difficult times during their military career and willingly making contributions to the development of the nation even after retirement.
“As the then president and commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces and ever since you left, your contributions to the development of the nation. As an association we think that you deserved to be honoured by every Nigerian. We urge you not to relent or be discouraged. There are bound to be criticisms. The ones that are constructive accept them and use them. The ones that are destructive ignore them,” the senate president stated.
Responding, general Babangida thanked them for the honour done to him and urged them to keep the spirit of oneness that could transcend to the entire country.
Babangida specifically praised the Senate President for his leadership qualities saying “I want to commend you. You have been able to hold the Senate and indeed the National Assembly together. That has stabilized the polity. I am sure your military background has helped you. I am proud of you”.
The Senate President and his colleagues also paid courtesy visit on the Etsu Nupe and chairman Niger State council of traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar in Bidda where both leaders stressed the imperative of unity and peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians.
