President Bola Tinubu says nationhood and belief in one country will put Nigeria on the right path.

Tinubu stated this at a lecture/colloquium in honour of the 61st birthday of Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme “Legislative Agenda for National Development”, Mr Tinubu described Mr Akpabio as a man committed to national development’s value.

The president said, “We will work together. While we consider the affairs of this country, the nationhood and the belief in one country will put us on the right path.

“Having you as a partner and Abbas as the speaker is good enough for me to succeed. Inshallah, we will succeed.”

Mr Tinubu lauded the Senate president while recalling Mr Akpabio’s achievements as a former governor and commissioner in Akwa-Ibom.

“He transformed Akwa-Ibom tremendously. He built one of the most effective drainage systems in Akwa-Ibom. Today, up till now, no matter how heavy the rain is, you will never find casualties.

“All the other beautiful things you did, the stadium, the hotel, that caring for the lives of the people of Akwa-Ibom, is exceptionally great,” said the president.

Former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said peace and security must be developed for the country to tackle insecurity.

“The first question is how we can find peace. Is it by the armed forces? It will be by executive and legislative processes.

“We can’t win, in my opinion, the war by armed forces. So I will suggest to the national assembly to consider the possibility of inviting the ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria,” said Mr Agbakoba, the guest speaker.

He further recommended unbundling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he said “is doing far too much.”

On his part, Mr Akpabio said the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration “is real, and this government is a correcting government.

“Our legislative agenda is going to be people-centred.”

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen said that Mr Akpabio, throughout his career, has shown valuable assistance, strategic thinking, and innovative leadership.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, also the event’s host, described Mr Akpabio as a leader par excellence who was always willing to give his quota to the country’s development.

(NAN)