More pictures and full gist from Senator David Mark’s 70th birthday

Sad Mark vows to pray more for Nigeria  

 

Immediate past president of the Senate, Senator David Mark at the weekend took stock of his 70- year sojourn on earth and renewed his convenant with God to serve Him and humanity faithfully.

Senator Mark told  a large gathering of members of the Nigerian high society in Abuja on Saturday, that he has resolved to serve God and humanity  for the rest of his life .

Mark commenced his birthday celebration in his Oturkpo hometown with an international golf tournament.

He expressed sadness that Nigerians are far from being united as hoped for by those in his generation.

“I will intensify my prayers and do the work of mercy for peace and unity of Nigeria where  genuine friendship and brotherhood, devoid of parochialism reigns”.

 

“When I was growing up, I made friends across board devoid of ethnicity, tribe or religion.  And we saw ourselves as brothers and sisters with a common destiny. But  what we see today is a celebration of ethnic or religious champions  in our national life.

“This is not the Nigeria of our dream. “We must rise up to re-orientate our people in order to reverse the trend for good. We must see ourselves as one people with a common destiny and purpose”, he added.

 

Mark also opined that a better Nigeria where everyone is free to live and pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country  without fear of intimidation or molestation is  possible, “if we see ourselves as brothers and sisters ”

 

Buhari hails Mark as brave soldier

 

President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke through his special Adviser on Natonal Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang described Mark as a brave soldier and astute politician who has made positive impact in the development of the nation.

Saraki, Tambuwal shower encomiums

 

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki showered encomiums on his predecessor for the foundation he laid in the senate as well as his contributions to national development.

Saraki requested Mark to always make his knowledge and wealth of experience available for upcoming leaders  to profit from, pointing out that, “Mark is a rare gift to Nigeria”.

Also speaking, the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Mark as a patriotic and relentless public servant who  over the years demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to his fatherland.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus praised Senator Mark for his steadfastness, recalling that in the wake of the gale of defection that hit the Party after its defeat in 2015, the former Senate President stood firm, when he said he will remain in PDP no matter the odds.

Senator Mark had insisted that he will not abandon the  PDP saying “I will remain the last man standing, even if others decamp”.

 

What T.Y Danjuma said about Mark

 

Mark’s classmate, General Alwali Kazir who spoke on behalf of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 3 Alumni association  commended Mark for his  relentless and unblemished  service to the nation.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, General T. Y. Danjuma noted the indomitable spirit of Mark which he said is needed to navigate through the murky political water in Nigeria.

 

Other dignitaries who attended the event include, four  former Presidents of the Senate, Iyorchia Ayu, Adolfus Wabara ,  Anyim Pius Anyim ,  Ken Nnamani , governors, past and present members of the National Assembly ,  Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan ,  as well as captains of industry.