Despite our challenges democracy is way of life – Mark

President of the Senate, David Mark, has urged Nigerians not to despair despite the challenges associated with democracy “because it remains the best and acceptable form of government.”
“Nigeria is still the hope of Africa. We must not despair. We must remain resolute because there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration, Senator Mark said at a Special Church service at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, in Abuja, that there was no alternative to democracy because it was participatory and representative of all.
Expectedly, he bemoaned the unabating security situation in the land and asked all citizens to cooperate with government and security operatives to fight terrorism and insurgency ravaging the land.
President of the Senate, specifically prayed for the quick, safe and unconditional release of over 200 girls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno state.
He said: “This is most embarrassing. How can they justify the abduction of these innocent girls whose only offence is that they chose to be educated to better their lots and ultimately contribute to the economic and socio- political development of their fatherland?
“We pray that God touches the heart of their abductors to free them even as we do everything humanly possible to rescue our girls. However, swapping them for criminals is not an option.”
Mark also spoke against the incessant industrial action, especially in the education sector, pointing out that a situation where over 50 per cent of the academic session was spent on strike was unhealthy for national development.
He, therefore, called on the federal government on one hand and the striking Polytechnics and Colleges of Education teachers to return to the negotiating table in order to resolve the imbroglio that had kept students at home for almost one year.
On his part, Mark assured that the National Assembly would continue to stand by the people, adding that legislation would always be guided by the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry.
“What makes for the good, welfare and security of our people will continue to be our watch words.”
Earlier, in his Homily, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Innocent Jooji, implored Nigerians to preach and work for justices and peaceful coexistence, saying that more than ever before the nation needed economic and political stability to thrive.