Abubakar made the call while speaking on the subject, Nigeria at 100: Reflections on the future” and the launch of The Cable, an online newspaper.
He said the challenges facing Nigeria, including insecurity will be a thing of the past if Nigerians do not work at cross purposes.
“More importantly the future is there for us to hold, so that our tomorrow can be greater. At this moment of our nationhood, we are facing several of the challenges which dwells in our heart for a greater tomorrow. We are facing security challenges, as well as the need to reduce the poverty in the land. All of us as Nigerians have the duty to join hands in fighting these challenges”.
“If Nigeria is safe and secure and the quality of life in the country improves, it is in the benefit of the nation. The singular fight should make us strive to build the country together. We cannot continue to complain about the problems because it will not solve it. All we need to do today is to look forward and think of the solution to the problems facing the country.
He appealed to politicians and other Nigerians to always put the country first for the stability of the country , saying security, law and order are fundamental requirements in any human society.
“Perhaps, our politicians can learn a lesson from the Americans; whenever there is election, they identify themselves as Republicans and Democrats. But as soon as the election is over, they identify themselves as Americans. Their country’s interest always set precedent over partisan interest” he added.
Speaking Fashola at the launch the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola said the electorate has a major role to play in deciding the right leadership of the country adding that indiscipline and lawlessness must be discouraged, saying a situation where a Minister of the republic dashes to the court to stop lawmakers from carrying out their statutory responsibility spells doom for the nation’s democratic system.
“ Is this where we ought to be in the country. All of the advances we have made in this country what improvement have we made of those advances. Yes we can talk about telephone but where are the made in Nigeria telephones? In these competitive world we must begin to ask ourselves some questions, otherwise we are not taking the right steps”.
The governor who lauded the initiative of the publisher said moving from newsprint to digital newspaper publication saying it will redefine the way newspapers are read in the country.
In her contribution, Senator Chris Anyanwu, said the country have made some strides in different spheres of national life, saying,” there are a few things that we have to get right. In the communication sector we have made a quantum leap. In the banking sector something good has happened.
“In media of course we are far ahead of the past where. But there are some things in the public sector that we are not getting right like building the foundation, the right policies, the roads, electricity, those basic things that affects the lives everywhere those are the things we are not getting right”.
She said the insularity in the country cannot bring about a united nation strong in its diversity, saying there is need to see Nigeria beyond ethnicity and tap into the strength of its diversity.
“We have to foresee a day where a small boy from Owerri can come here and become the governor of Lagos state and another one from Lagos can move and be the governor of Kano state these are possibilities. It is only when we get to that level that we continue to see Nigeria leaving up to expectation as the giant of Africa”.
Mr. Segun Ogunsanya , the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria If the governance is very strong and good laws are well implemented the country will improve , noting that good governance is key to the development of the country.
“I can give a number of reasons why we should not be too pessimistic about Nigeria we have a population of about 170 million people that is a delight for any economy. Three million people in any city is a delight for any business and beyond that we have oil whether it is a blessing or curse”.
John Momoh founder Chief Executive Officer Channels Television in his remarks said though the country has become a conglomeration of the bad, good and ugly the degree to which the different components are placed defined the polity and makes it great.
“In Nigeria it seems anything goes in essence there is materialism in the country, there is so much urge for people to make money without working. It is normally said that there are few bad eggs but the numbers have increased in Nigeria. That is why you see the country is like it is under siege by few people who had seen that that criminality is the road to stardom and politics the road to financial security”.
Also speaking the publisher of TheCable Simon Kolawole said the primary objective of the new digital tabloid is deliver knowledge driven Journalism in pursuit of the country’s development.
”In this age of anything goes journalism Thecable is a professionally run newspaper. It is not a blog or an aggregator but a classy newspaper produced by those with the professional expertise. We are not tools in the hands of any political , ethnic , business or religious interest .
He assured that the online Newspaper will present all day breaking new and live reporting to keep the people abreast of happenings in their environment.
Present at the launch was the former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mr. Nduka Obiagbena , Chairman and Editor in Chief THISDAY media Group and Arise Television Network, Chairman of Access Bank Plc Aig- Imoukhuede frontline medical practitioner Dr. Tunde Soleye , captains of industries and Media executives.
