By Gift Chapi Odekina
The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Toby Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive in the midst of the prevailing economic hardship and security challenges in the country.
Okechukwu equally called on the citizens to soberly reflect on the nation’s journey so and its national values in order to navigate and overcome the present challenges.
The lawmaker, who represents Aninri-Awgu-Oji River Federal Constituency, stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians on Sunday.
He said: “This is no doubt a tough time for Nigerians, given the economic hardship, security and a myriad of other challenges facing the country at the moment.
“Nevertheless, I urge us to keep hope alive and seize the occasion of the New Year celebration to reflect deeply on and imbibe the themes of love, social justice, equity, unity, and responsible citizenship so that together we can overcome our challenges.
“Importantly, I urge communities to use the camaraderie of the season to find a bottom-up approach to the menace of insecurity that has crawled into our villages.
“For Ndigbo, who are particularly known for communal living and conferring among themselves both at home and in the diaspora, the New Year holiday presents a veritable opportunity for introspection on the incomprehensible and prevalent destruction of lives, property, and economy of Igbo land with a view to building lasting peace and calm in the homeland going forward”.
Okechukwu wished Nigerians a happy and hitch-free New Year celebration.
