Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, said that the National Assembly is not for Managing Directors and heads of big corporations alone but for all Nigerians, irrespective of their status in life.

Saraki, who stated this when ace musician, Mr. Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, alias Patoranking, visited him at the National Assembly also expressed satisfaction with the works of Nigerian artistes and urged them to remain good ambassadors of the country.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, Saraki pledged the support of the legislature to help Nigerian artistes boost their performance and to inspire upcoming artistes and the younger generation.

Saraki said: “It is a great pleasure also for us spending this time with you and let you appreciate that we recognise the good things that you are doing. I want to let you know that this National Assembly is not only for Managing Directors of big parastatals, we are here for all Nigerians.

“We want to encourage you to be a good ambassador not only for the youths but the entire country at this moment in time. We believe the best is in this country because we have a lot of talents out there and that it is our responsibility to get all that talent out – those who are already doing well, to get them to do better and place Nigeria as No. 1 in everything that we are do.

“A lot of us are proud of what you guys are doing in the entertainment, music and the film industry. You have already put this country out there. I was saying to my own kids that in our time, all we listened to were foreign music, now they don’t even listen to foreign music, they listen more to local music.

“I mean, that is a great transformation and we must commend your generation for the fantastic work you guys are doing to change this country. You have changed Nigeria for good and I think this is what we should all be proud of.

“On our part, we will continue to support, in our own way, to encourage, promote and give you recognition so that many people watching you and those coming behind you will be inspired.”

Earlier, Patoranking appreciated Saraki and the leadership of the Senate for the warm reception and said he was proud of the opportunity which is one of the ways of bridging the gap between Nigerian leaders and the youths.

He said: “This is actually the biggest thing that has ever happened to my career. I am going to take my time to say this like an award speech. This is actually big and I know my colleagues out there will be proud of this moment. There is nothing as important as bridging gaps between our leaders and we the youths.”

Son of the Adamawa State Governor, Farouk Bindow, accompanied Patoranking during the visitation.

•Photo shows Patoranking.

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