By Beauty John, LAFIA
The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, Today, charged the youths to rise up against ethnic and religious differences in the interest of unity, peace and development of the country.
Balarabe Abdullahi made this call while receiving Sir Ahmadu Bello Prestigious Merit Award as the most outstanding speaker of State Assembly in Northern Nigeria from Global Alliance of Northern Nigeria Youths in Lafia.
The speaker, who lamented over the setbacks caused by religious bigotry, opined that ethnic and religious tolerance would not only unite Nigerians but would also bring permanent peace to the country.
” I urge you and other youths to rise up against ethnic and religious differences in the interest of unity, peace and development of the country,” he said
He appreciated them for the award while assuring them of his leadership’s determination to initiate bills and pass resolutions that would impact positively on the lives of every youth, and the entire state.
“An hour ago, NUJ paid us a courtesy call and have shower encomium on me,an now coincidentally Global Alliance of Northern Youths are here to present an award to me,it is a special day for me.
“Ahmadu Bello , the late Sardauna is our mentor, a role model and a leader of all Nigerians that we all will remember him for his sacrifices. May Allah grant him Aljanat.
“As youths you have a lot of task ahead, you must unite and contribute your quota to the development of the country positively.
Balarabe Abdullahi also urged the youths and Nigerians entirely to live in peace, unity and embrace brotherhood for development to thrive.
The speaker dedicated the award to his colleagues. According to him, the success he has recorded from 5th and 6th assembly was due to team work, and the support he gets from them.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Northern Youths group , Comrade Mohammed Awal Abdullahi said that they have been keenly following activities of the assembly and its leadership and after thorough assessment the Nasarawa speaker was selected for the award due to his quality leadership style.
“It was due to your leadership quality style that we have award you with Sir Ahmadu Bello Prestigious Merit award as the most outstanding speaker of State Assembly in Northern Nigeria”.
He commended the speaker for sponsoring many private member bills, as the 5th assembly he headed has the highest number of bills in the state since inception of the institution.
” Still at 6th assembly , in one year the House under your watch passed 15 bills which is among the highest in the country, this is commendable .
He also commended the speaker for the women and youths empowerment as well as scholarship schemes he has provided for his constituency.
They pledged their support for government policies and programmes that are beneficial to the country.
It will be reported that the presentation of the award had delegates from the northern states.
