Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on the National Assembly to honour its sacred responsibility of leadership by prioritising unity and national development over political divisions and partisan interests.
Shettima made the call during an Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) event hosted by President Bola Tinubu for the leadership and members of the House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, March 17.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Shettima urged the lawmakers to embrace their roles with humility and a shared commitment to progress.
He emphasised the importance of cooperation and collaboration in fostering national growth, stating: “In the end, history will not judge us by the number of personal battles we fought against one another, but by the bridges we were able to build together.”
Shettima continued, “We are gathered here this evening not as adversaries in a contest for power, but as partners in the noble task of nation-building.”
Reflecting on the significance of Ramadan, which coincides with the Lenten season, the Vice-President called for deep introspection and a renewed commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
He noted that the sacred month served as a reminder to choose “stability over strife, collaboration over conflict, and dialogue over discord.”
“What binds us as a nation is far greater than what divides us,” he said.
In his remarks, Shettima commended President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a “man of vision and inclusivity.” He further praised the President for his trust in the National Assembly, adding, “In President Tinubu, you have not just a leader you can trust, but a leader who trusts you. He sees you as stewards of our democracy, as voices of the people, and as partners in our shared aspiration to build a better Nigeria.”
The Vice-President also expressed optimism about the country’s economic trajectory, asserting that the government’s policies were yielding positive results.
“We are now on the path to sustained economic growth, and with perseverance, we will create a Nigeria where every citizen can thrive,” Shettima stated.
He also lauded the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the House leadership for promoting harmony within the legislature.
“There can be no development without peace, and there can be no peace without development. The unity within the House is a testament to our collective resolve to move Nigeria forward,” he added.
Shettima urged the legislators to govern with empathy, fairness, and justice, reminding them that their positions were a sacred trust bestowed by the Nigerian people.
“Leadership is not about personal gain; it is about service. It is a burden vested in us by God, tested by history, and measured by the impact we leave behind,” he said.
Earlier, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the invitation and his continued respect and concern for the House of Representatives. Reflecting on the importance of Ramadan, the Speaker urged both Muslims and Christians to dedicate the fasting period to prayer for the country.
“As we all know, the month of Ramadan entails many things, one of them is reflection; where were you before, where are you now, and where do you want to be? I believe Nigeria, more than ever before, needs this type of reflection,” Abbas said.
He called on citizens to pray for the country’s economy, security, and for the leadership to be guided in their decisions.
“Prayers for the economy; prayers for improved security, prayers for the leaders, and prayers for the citizens,” he added.
In a show of solidarity, Abbas pledged that every member of the House of Representatives supported President Tinubu’s leadership. He also noted that the policies of the administration were aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
As a gesture of goodwill, Abbas announced that, on behalf of the House of Representatives, the sum of N705 million had been donated to the President.
The donation, which represents a six-month 50 per cent salary deduction from each member, was intended to support the humanitarian initiatives of the President and assist vulnerable people across the country.
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