We’ve Laid Solid Foundation for Democracy to Thrive says Saraki ….as He, Dogara, Others Receives Arewa Online Award
By Alex Uangbaoje, Abuja
Senate President Bukola Saraki, said the 8th senate under his leadership, has laid a solid foundation for democracy to thrive in the 9th senate despite distractions and challenges.
Saraki, said the nation will not move forward without a strong Parliament and principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government.
The Senate President, who spoke in his office when he received members of the Arewa Online Publishers Forum, who were there to present Him, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, Senator Shehu Sani, Senator Kabiru Marafa and Senator Magnus Abe with an award of “exemplary leadership”, noted that the foundation they have laid in the 8th senate will make democracy stronger.
“As long as our Parliament is strong Nigeria will be stronger and i think it is important that we lay a solid foundation to strengthen our democracy.” Saraki added.
While tasking the media to do more for the survival of democracy in Nigeria, He expressed satisfaction over the role the media has been playing role in ensuring the growth of democracy.
“You have responsibility to ensure that individual interest gives room for collective interest for a better Nigeria for all. This will spur us all to do more for Nigeria individually and collectively. He added.
Dr. Saraki therefore thanked the group for the award, saying, “i am happy that the media was able to appreciate what the 8th National Assembly stood for.”
The Arewa Online Publishers Forum, is a group with membership in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara in his response who commended the roles being played by the Online media in Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general, said the “Arewa Publishers Forum has given hope to this part of the country.“
“I am highly impressed and very happy that the online media has come to stay in Nigeria and is filling in the gaps,” he said.
Represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, Dogara, said with the vibrancy of the Arewa Online Publishers Forum, the North can now tell its own story without relying on others to help it do it.
He expressed confidence that unlike in the past when the mainstream media, which was dominated by the South chooses what it wishes to publish about the North, things are set to change.
“Before now, the media kills stories from the North but now we are happy because our voices will be heard all over,” he added.
He however, charged the forum to be wary of quacks and should ensure only professionals are its members, saying “i urge you to know yourselves and differentiate between quacks and professionals. On this note, we accept the award and are proud of it.”
