The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, at the weekend called on political leaders to come together in a bid to tackle the challenges facing the country.
Lawan said no part of the country could on its own solve a problem that had engulfed all parts of the country.
The Senate President spoke on Saturday at a reception in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, after the paramount ruler, Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye conferred on him the chieftaincy title of Aare Akorewolu of Iyin Kingdom.
The colourful event, which was well attended by federal and state lawmakers, was part of the activities to commemorate the first coronation anniversary of the Oluyin of Iyin.
Lawan said: “I want to say that today’s challenges are surmountable. All we need is to come together as a people, face the challenges no matter how difficult they may appear.
“Once we are united, we are resolved, we can deal with these challenges, and continue the march to making Nigeria a success, a great country, like our founding fathers envisioned.
“I belong to that optimistic school of thought that no part of Nigeria can solve a challenge that faces the entire nation.
“No matter how strong any individual can be, he needs others to make his job much easier and more successful when he has to try to deal with it.
“We are facing not only political but even security challenges today, in all parts of the country. What this requires is for all parts of Nigeria, particularly political leaders, to come together.
“Whether the issues are most predominant in North West or South West or South East or indeed in any part of the country, all hands must be on the deck and that will be the secret of our success.
“The people of Nigeria, as demonstrated by Kabiyesi, love this country, love its people and wherever our people come from, they feel sentimental towards each other, that they are one and the same people.
“It is for the political leaders to ensure that they work with this very important factor of unity among the ordinary people to bring all these challenges down to their knees. And we can achieve that.
“I want to urge all political leaders in this country to come together to understand that no part can handle a problem that engulfs all parts. That all parts must be united to deal with problem that engulfs all parts.”
The Senate President thanked the Oluyin of Iyin, his cabinet and the entire people of Iyin Kingdom for finding him worthy of the title of Aare Akorewolu of Iyin Kingdom.
Iyin is the home town of Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele who is representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the Senate.
“On behalf of myself, my family and people of Yobe North Senatorial District that I represent and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the entire National Assembly, I thank you most sincerely for the honour done to me.
Senators in company of the Senate President from Abuja to grace the occasion include: Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Barau Jibrin, Sadiq Umar Suleiman, Kola Balogun, Ayodele Akinyelure, Chukwuka Utazi, Aisha Dahiru Binani, Mohammed Sani Musa, Surajudeen Basiru Ajibola, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Francis Fadahunsi, Adelere Oriolowo, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele(the host) and also Clerk of the National Assembly, Architect Amos Olatunde Ojo.