President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has again expressed confidence that in spite of the current challenges facing the nation, Nigeria would emerge a greater country just as he tasked the media to join the vanguard of nation building.
Senator Mark noted that Nigeria has the potential to be a great nation, saying “all we need to do is to collectively put in our best in all we do and see the light at the end of the tunnel”.
Speaking when the management of African Newspapers of Nigeria, (ANN Plc) Publishers of the Nigeria Tribune titles briefed him on his nomination as the “Most Outstanding Public Officer of The Year” (2011), Senator Mark said there is no need to despair because we shall come out stronger as a nation and a people”.
He however cautioned the media against harping more on the negative aspects of the nation, saying, there are many positive things about Nigeria that are grossly unreported or under-reported.
“The media as a whole has a major role to play in nation-building. They have a great role that nobody can ignore. They have a huge responsibility which they must guard jealously and with a high sense of patriotism”, he stated.
On the award, Senator Mark said he was humbled and truly appreciates, “since my modest contribution is acknowledged”.He noted that he is challenged by the award which he said would spur him to serve selflessly in the overall interest of the nation.
Senator Mark praised the management of Tribune titles for sustaining the legacy of its founder, Chief Obafemi Awolowo adding that “Tribune has maintained objectivity and commitment of professionalism over the years”.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of African Newspapers of Nigeria, Reverend Sam Adesua said the Senate President was chosen after a painstaking assessment and unanimously endorsed by the Board and management of the Organisation.
Adesua noted that the President of the Senate has brought honour and candour as the presiding officer of the upper legislative chamber, adding that the stability he has brought to the polity is unravelled.
The Tribune boss pointed out the various interventions of the President of the Senate to national crisis including the invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity,labour unrest and other developments that would have drawn the nation backward.
The award to the President of the Senate is billed for March 22, 2012 in Abuja..