|
Nasarawa State Delegation Pays a Congratulatory Visit to President Obasanjo
Thursday, July 21, 2005
"Our assignment to the Presidential Villa to day is both simple and difficult. Simple because we were told (by our people at home) to come here and say to you, Mr. President, well done. It is at the same time difficult because the phrase, well done, is so inadequate in conveying our joy and appreciation to you. In the circumstances, we ask you to please accept the expression with its inadequacies. The fault is not in us but in the limitation of the human language."
Those were the words of Governor Adamu when he led a strong delegation of Nasarawa citizens on a visit to President Obasanjo. The visit which was necessitated by recent developments in the country was packaged to show support to Mr. President for hitherto undreamed of achievements in the annals of Nigeria's history.
Governor Adamu in an address read on behalf of the citizens of the state, listed some of the national achievements under President Obasanjo as the debt relief granted the country by the Paris club; the judgment delivered at the Supreme Court which put a final paid to the victory of President Obasanjo at the April 2003 elections; the leadership of President Obasanjo at the African Union; Mr. President's invitation to the recent G8 meeting at Gleneagles, Scotland and the appointment of Mr. President as an ambassador of the UN world Food Programme on school feeding.
Governor Adamu used the occasion to pledge the loyalty and support of the Nasarawa people to President Obasanjo. He however cautioned that "despite what has been achieved so far, your ambition is to achieve even much more. We can only urge you not to rest on your oars. The challenges facing the nation are still enormous. But that is hardly a cause for despair. Every achievement takes us one sure step towards the Promised Land. Challenges never end. All nations big or small, developed or under-developed, rich or poor must always face peculiar challenges consistent with their individual ambitions. We urge you not to feel disappointed if the more you do for the nation, more remains to be done". In conclusion, Governor Adamu assured the President the Nasarawa State would stand shoulder to shoulder with him in the discharge of his duties.
Responding to the address, President Obasanjo said he was deeply touched by the kind words contained in the address and said he was grateful to God for blessing his determined efforts to develop the country. He said that it had not been easy, but that he was determined to put the country on a strong pedestal. He promised to continue to work hard for the development of the nation and urged all citizens in the country to support federal government efforts. He said he would ensure that the school feeding programme which is being tested in Nasarawa state was replicated across the country if successful. He also promised to re-align the Akwanga - Nasarawa Eggon road which had become a death trap.
The delegation to the Presidential Villa included the Deputy Governor, Labaran Maku; Speaker of Nasarawa Parliament, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo; and top government officials and Nasarawa elders.
|
