Nigeria @64: Senate leader seeks solution to nation’s challenges

As Nigeria marks its 64th Independence Day, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has urged national leaders to take immediate action to tackle the pressing issues that threaten the country’s unity, prosperity, and stability.

In a statement released by his media team on Tuesday, Bamidele stressed the importance of solidarity in addressing the socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation. He noted that despite Nigeria’s long history—64 years of independence and 110 years of being a unified nation—significant obstacles persist.

He called on leaders to prioritize unity over divisions rooted in ethnicity, politics, and religion. “In these challenging times, we must confront the issues that divide us in order to build a resilient federation that benefits everyone,” Bamidele stated.

The senator also encouraged collaboration among leaders from various political, religious, and cultural backgrounds to devise solutions to the issues jeopardizing national peace and collective success. He highlighted the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution at the National Assembly as a crucial opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s federal structure for improved effectiveness.

Bamidele revealed that the assembly has received 37 new memoranda from stakeholders across the country, along with 16 constitutional amendment bills carried over from the previous assembly. Key proposals under consideration include the establishment of state police, voting rights for Nigerians in the diaspora, financial autonomy for local governments, judicial independence, reserved legislative seats for women, and the formation of a National Council of Traditional Rulers.

He encouraged greater public engagement in the review process, assuring citizens that their interests would be taken into account as discussions advance. Public hearings on the constitutional review are set to commence in January 2025.