Mark Urges Nigerians Not To Despair In Spite Of Challenges

Senate President, David Mark, has urged Nigerians not to despair in spite of the challenges bedeviling the nation, saying “democracy remains the best and acceptable form of government in the world.’’ Mark made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at a special Church service at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, to mark this year’s Democracy Day. He described democracy as participatory, adding that Nigeria remained the hope of Africa and as such, Nigerians should not despair. He said “we must remain resolute because there will be light at the end of the tunnel.’’ On the security situation in the country, Mark appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with government and security operatives to fight terrorism and insurgency ravaging the land. He prayed for the quick, safe and unconditional release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno on April 14. The Senate president said “we pray that God will touch the hearts of the schoolgirls’ abductors to free them even as we do everything humanly possible to rescue them.’’ He, however, maintained that swapping them for criminals was not an option. He enjoined the Federal Government and the striking Polytechnics and Colleges of Education lecturers to return to the negotiating table to resolve the contending issues and end the strike. He lamented that a situation where over 50 per cent of the academic session was spent on strike was unhealthy for national development. While assuring that the National Assembly would always stand by the people, he urged citizens to continue to remain law abiding.