Recession: Dogara tasks Nigerians on self-reliance

Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged Nigerians to exploit the opportunities provided by the current economic recession for self reliance.

 

Dogara made the call while speaking during an economic empowerment programme by the member representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Obinna Chidoka (PDP-Anambra) in Obosi-Onitsha on Saturday.

 

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Iliya Habila, said Dogara advised Nigerians not to allow the difficulties of the current recession to becloud the opportunities in the country.

 

"The truth is that in every difficulty there are challenges. We shouldn't let the difficulties we are facing as a people, as a nation becloud from seeing the opportunities that are available from these national challenges that we are facing.

 

"Challenges related to the economic recession;  it should never be an excuse whereby hard working citizens will fold their hands and continue to look up to government to perform the magic.

 

"For us, the wealth of nation is not measured by how rich the nation is; it is measured in gross national product.

 

"It, therefore, means that it is accumulative wealth of the people that translates into the wealth of the nation.

 

"If our citizens are rich and wealthy Nigeria will be a wealthy nation, if our citizens are poor and hungry, Nigeria will remain a poor nation.", he said.

 

The Speaker expressed the belief that the items distributed to the beneficiaries by the member would ensure their self reliance and empowerment for their families.

 

He said the House of Representatives believes that apart from legislation, they were also duty-bound to assist their constituents with items to empower them.

 

Dogara commended Chidiola for having his constituents at heart by providing them with the items and enjoined them to continue to support him discharge his duties.

 

In his welcome address, the member said the distribution of the items was the first phase and that the gesture would continue. 

 

Chidioka thanked the Speaker for appointing him as Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Habitat; saying it was in coincidence with the fact that the state had about 1,000 sites of erosion.

 

The Speaker also attended a thanksgiving service in honour of the father of the member, Ogbueshi Ben Chidoka, who turned 90 years; at St Andrew's Anglican  Church Obosi.

 

He eulogies elder Chidoka for raising good children who have occupied prominent positions in the service of the nation.

 

Dogara admonished christians to keep faith with God to overcome all challenges in their lives.

 

He told elder Chidoka that God might still find him useful despite his old age.

CC: AUTHORITY NEWSPAPER.