NEW YEAR MESSAGESPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has restated commitment to strengthening the country's democracy.The President said this in a message to Nigerians on the occasion of the New Year celebration.Acknowledging that 2011 posed 'national security challenges', the President nevertheless said it was a year of 'many positive developments', which his administration will 'strive to build upon in 2012'.According to the President, 'We have strengthened our democracy with the conduct of free, fair and credible elections which were applauded by our people and the global community.We have developed and begun the implementation of a purposeful and focused agenda for national transformation and established teams of patriotic, fully committed, dedicated and capable Nigerians to drive our plans to achieve significant progress in priority areas such as power supply, the rehabilitation and expansion of national infrastructure, industrialisation, agricultural development, education and employment generation.'He said: 'We have, with the astute and diligent implementation of the amnesty programme, fully restored peace to the Niger Delta and boosted the production and export of crude oil which had plunged to record lows in the dark days of militant agitation in the region.'We have also fully re-established our standing as a very important member of the international community.'Sadly and very regrettably, however, 2011 also witnessed continuing national security challenges, the most worrisome of which was the spate of mindless terrorist attacks which have claimed the lives of many of our people.'As we enter a new year, I wish to reassure Nigerians that my administration will neither be distracted nor deterred from the effective implementation of its agenda for national growth and development by present challenges.'We shall vigorously confront and defeat the menace of terrorism in our country and work with our friends in the international community to eliminate this new threat to global peace and security.'I urge our people to reject despair and embrace hope and optimism. We are a strong and resilient people. We have overcome all previous challenges to our nationhood and national well-being. With unity of purpose and national solidarity, we will certainly overcome terrorism and other current challenges.'With the support and cooperation of our patriotic compatriots, my administration will intensify its efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property in Nigeria this new year as we have already signaled in our 2012 budget proposals.'We will also continue to make progress in improving the living conditions of all Nigerians in 2012 with effective interventions in key areas.'May God Almighty continue to bless, guide and protect our nation as we strive to build a strong, united and prosperous nation for present and future generations.'Mark, Ekweremadu, Atiku Urge Commitment To Democratic IdealsFrom John-Abba Ogbodo, AbujaIN spite of the turmoil that marked year 2011, eminent Nigerians have called on citizens to uphold the ideals of democracy, expressing optimism that if some of the nation's challenges are tackled adequately, 2012 could usher in better times.President of the Senate, David Mark, in his New Year message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said insecurityand other challenges facing the nation, notwithstanding, the unity and indivisibility of the country cannot be compromised.The Senate President said: ''We live a communal life and uphold the sanctity of our brotherhood. These bombings, murder and destruction of property are alien to us, and we must do everything humanly possible to arrest the situation,' he said.The Senate President commended Nigerians for their perseverance and resilience amid daunting challenges, saying adequate measures 'are being put in place to guarantee a crime free society in 2012 where people would go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation or attack.'Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on his part, said year 2012 holds great promise for Nigeria.In his New Year message titled: 'The Future is Promising'' and signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadunoted that the country remains abundantly blessed with its leadership determined to succeed.He advised Nigeriansnot to succumb to the evil machinations ofa few unpatriotic elements bent on dampening their spirits and joy, calling also for a look forward to a brighter future.In his New Year message, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,stressed that the level of resources available to elected leaders must justify the legitimate expectations of the electorate for improved quality of life.In a statement signed by his media officer, Paul Ibe, Atiku said 13years of unbroken democratic governance should give the people valid reasons to expect reasonable improvements in their lives.He regretted that Nigeria is one of the societies where politicians are so openly hated, not because democracy is bad, but because leaders abandon the people once they are sworn into office.Atiku lamented the wanton display of wealth by leaders at a time when living condition is degenerating alarmingly.He urged leaders to have a soul-search and give hope to the people.Tambuwal Urges Peaceful CoexistenceFrom Terhemba Daka, AbujaSPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has enjoined Nigerians to reflect on values that emphasise respect for elders and care for the young as the world ushers in year 2012.In his New Year message issued in Abuja and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, the Speaker said the coming of the new year, which signals the rebirth of new hopes and aspirations, should be used by all Nigerians to return to their roots and revive the age-long tradition of communal harmony built on respect for elders and love for the young.'A society cannot be said to be making progress, if it loses its moral fabric. For centuries, communities and people of Nigeria have prospered largely due to the harmonious nature of their societies.'As we enter the new year, we should all reflect on these virtues so as to fast track the return of peace and stability to our dear nation. We must emphasise the aspects of our culture, which promote unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence,' the Speaker said.While wishing Nigerians a happy New Year, Tambuwal gave assurance that the House of Representatives will take the lead in efforts to find lasting solutions to socio-economic challenges confronting the country.Tambuwal noted that the last months of 2011 witnessed rise in cases of insecurity. He however reiterated his calls that the challenges are temporary and that the country would soon pass this phase.'Nigeria is a country destined for greatness. While cases of insecurity have been a source of concern for the country, I believe it is a period we would soon leave behind,' the Speaker said.Our Enemy Is Poverty Not Religion, Says TinubuNIGERIANS must avoid every provocation that may lead to a religious crisis in the new year, and work together to end the Boko Haram menace, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State.'Our common enemy is poverty, coupled with lack of economic opportunities, not religion,' Asiwaju Tinubu said in a release to mark New Year.'We must never. I repeat, never allow the few evil ones among us set us against one another in mindless violence.'The ACN national leader said, like partisan political beliefs, religious adherence is a God-given and constitutionally-sanctioned right, which is inalienable to every citizen; and which everyone ought to respect.'I am Muslim, and proudly so. My wife is Christian, and proudly so too. But that has not prevented each of us from living together in love and raising our family in harmony,' he explained.Asiwaju Tinubu called on Nigerians to rally round President Jonathan in eliminating the Boko Haram crisis.Fashola Urges Restraint, Peaceful Religious, Ethnic Co-ExistenceAs Nigerians and people all over the world usher in Year 2012, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday urged restraint, peaceful religious and ethnic co-existence among all as core virtues needed for national stability and development.Governor Fashola in his New Year message to the people said in view of some of the recent unfortunate happenings in the country, there is a need for people in all parts of the nation to tread with caution in realization that everyone is a stakeholder in realizing a peaceful and prosperous nation where families can be raised, livelihoods earned and where individuals can worship their Creator in diverse ways.The Governor said restraint is needed now to ensure that comments that may inflame passions or fan the embers of disunity are not promoted thus leading to a worsening of the security situation in the country.He called on all Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides to continue to co-exist peacefully as Nigeria's diversity has always been a unifying factor for the nation.The Governor noted that Nigerians across all ethnic and religious beliefs have always intermarried and co- existed in harmony with the fact that there is no complete Nigerian family that does not have a fusion of either religious or ethnic groups.The Governor said it is within the making of all Nigerians for people of diverse ethnic groups to feel confident to reside in any part of the country without any fear of falling victim of violent attacks or undue persecution.Governor Fashola wished all residents of Lagos State a brighter and rewarding Year 2012 that will witness a continuation of the efforts by the State Government to better the lot of the people across all divides.While thanking Lagosians for their support and co-operation with the government as well as their contribution towards continued peace and stability in the State, Governor Fashola declared: 'Let us resolve more than ever before and as we step into the New Year, that your city, Lagos will continue to be a shining example of peaceful co-existence and a blooming melting pot of faith, tongues and cultures'.A Brighter Nation Beckons ' SylvaRATHER than being despondent, Nigerians should look forward to a brighter country in the new year, Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has said.While acknowledging some challenges in the past year both in the state and in some parts of the country, the governor, in his New Year message, urged citizens to 'look forward to a brighter country, where peace, prosperity and security would reign.'Be Security Conscious, Says AjimobiTHE governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged people of the state to be loyal and security conscious, against the backdrop of the incessant spate of violence in the country.The governor, who said this in his New Year message promised aggressive infrastructural activities, urging the people to be law-abiding and respect constituted authorities.Ajimobi called on citizens to form vigilance groups, exchanging information and taking collective responsibility for the security of the state.He said the people should volunteer information to security agencies, in order to check the activities of criminally minded persons.Expect Quality Governance In 2012, Says AregbesolaOSUN State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured indigenes and residents of quality governance in 2012.In a New Year message, signed by Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the year would witness huge achievements in terms of the execution of developmental projects.The statement added that the 2012 Appropriation Bill presented to the state House of Assembly last Thursday is a clear indicator of the administration's readiness to surprise people of the state with projects targeted at transforming their lives.The statement noted that with a budget of N19.1b on rural and urban transportation in the bill, the state's network of roads appear poised for major transformation.The governor said that his administration will not relent in its efforts to invest massively in food production, security and agriculture, adding that people of the state will witness bumper production of broilers through the state's poultry initiative.Aregbesola said, 'About N340 million has been disbursed out of the N1b loans obtained under the commercial agriculture credit scheme. A large number of poultry farmers in the state who benefited from the scheme in the previous year will also be opportune through the scheme to expand their poultry farms under a well guaranteed market for their production.'The governor added: 'Apart from free education programme at the primary and secondary level, this administration has made remarkable achievements in the educational sub-sector. Our administration will continue to give deserved attention to the welfare of teachers in 2012.'The schools building projects are to become more manifest in the new year as all plans have been concluded on their outlook and designs.'These, the statement said, 'Will replace the ramshackle structures called classrooms for our children. These have not permitted meaningful learning to take place, and we are poised to change this shameful state of affairs in our schools.'Let's Keep Hope Alive, Says OniFrom Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado EkitiFORMER Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has urged people of the state to remain prayerful and hopeful for a better deal from God in 2012, adding: 'In this new year, the will of God will prevail in our dear State, Ekiti.'In his New Year message, signed by Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Oni said the people's goodwill and support towards him in the year 2011 has further reinforced his commitment to serving the state wholeheartedly and making life more meaningful for the downtrodden'.
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