Senator, representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, says Nigeria is endowed with quality manpower that if harnessed would not only astronomically spin the country’s growth positively but spry the pace of development.

He stated this shortly after receiving the ‘Nigeria Rising Award’ under the patronship of Nigeria’s former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The award held at the Civic Center in Victoria Island, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria is initiated by publishers of Hallmark Newspaper.

It is designed to acknowledge uncommon individuals who through enterprise and foresight are creating the path of growth and development for Nigeria was also bestowed on other prominent Nigerians, which include; AMCON MD, Mustafa Chike-Obi, Former DG NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, Former Ministers, Chuku Odom and Frank Nweke Jnr.

Victor Umeh of APGA, Gregory Ibe of Gregory University, a Chartered Accountant, Ede Dafinone, Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam-Nda-Isaiah and foremost comedian, Ali Baba were also honoured.

Represented by his Media Aide, Honour Sirawoo, Abe who in the past declined such recognition said before accepting awards, people should be convinced about their contributions to societal growth, which to him “is the hallmark of public service.”

“A retrospective glance at my journey through public service indicates that my presence and contributions are valuable to the development of my country; I will continue to encourage processes that would assist in addressing the challenges facing generality of Nigerians,” he said.

Abe who opined that every human being was important, stated that “we have the responsibility of bringing those that are less privileged to a level that can guarantee their socio-economic survival saying: “God endowed us with brainpower that transverses fields of human endeavour, but lack of regard for these endowments has led us to where we are today.”

The Senator observed that at a point in Nigeria’s history brain-drain became prevalent following the failure of successive administrators to evolve deliberate ways of harnessing the country’s human resource potentials.

All hope, he said, was not lost, especially with the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as President, expressing optimism that the administration will sterilise development instruments and focus on the pursuit of deliverables to the benefit of Nigerians.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum (Downstream) declared that “the Nigeria Rising Award to me is a further challenge that society demands more from those of us that are privileged to seat at various level of leadership.”

•Photo shows Abe

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