Wife of Gov. Sani Bello of Niger, Amina, has urged Nigerians to remain united towards resolving socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.
She gave the charge in Abuja while receiving the ‘Sardauna of All Time’ award alongside Sen. Rochas Okorocha and Rep. Aisha Dukku (APC-Gombe) on Monday in Abuja.
Report state that the award was conferred on them by publisher of Sardauna Times.
Speaking after receiving the award, Amina warned the promoters of secession in the country to jettison the idea.
She urged all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion and ethnic affiliations to embrace dialogue and contribute their quota to the national development.
“The thing about it is that Nigeria was created on the premise of unity and I think people need to go back and look at that intention and really think about it closely.
“I think we are already too much of a nation where we are all inter-connected in one way and another and so for those who are asking for that, they need more patience and dialogue to understand the way forward for the country,” she said.
She called for the implementation of the 35 per cent women affirmative action which Nigeria was a signatory to further widen opportunities for women in politics.
She stressed the need for more support for women to enable them run for political offices.
“We need women at the top of government in the Executive and Legislative arms to ensure that, laws that has been passed are implemented,” she said.
Dukku extolled the leadership qualities of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, underscoring the need for political and public office holders to emulate him.
She called on the younger generation to pick up his qualities to help transform the country and build a better and united Nigeria.
”We need to build and bring back the cohesion of northern Nigeria and the country at large especially now that we are facing many challenges.
“People that are calling for Nigeria’s disintegration must think and have a rethink; they should think of our fathers that struggled for the independence of Nigeria.
“Think of those that have struggled after independence, like Gen. Yakubu Gowon, that struggled to bring the country together and those that followed after.
“Think of those that are striving very hard to keep the nation as one, those people that we should listen to,” she said.
The lawmaker said that a lot of goodies await Nigeria when citizens come together as one saying that it is better for Africa and the world at large.
The Chairman of Suleja local government council in Niger, Mr Abdullahi Maje explained that the ‘Sardauna of All Times award was conferred on different individuals who have contrinuted to the development of Nigeria.
He said Okorocha had done a lot in terms of promoting education in the entire country especially in the North.
He said states government was doing well in term of promoting education but it would be better if it was led by local government councils.
“It will be better if local councils are being given full autonomy. You know education starts from primary school level, and all the primary schools are under the local councils.
“So if the education is being given attention right from primary school it would go a long way.
“If the local Government is given full autonomy so that they will have their full resources to operate there will be a serious achievement in terms of education and there will be less security challenges in this country,” he said.