Ahmad added that it is glaring that 56 years of Nigeria's independent from colonial masters has not in any way been matched by the founding fathers' projection.

The Speaker, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir to commemorate the nation's 56th independent anniversary, however noted that with leadership commitment and determination Nigeria would get to the promise land.

He said that there is no doubt that the? country has passed through several challenges which had shook it to its foundation, adding that God in His wisdom has made Nigeria to remain as an entity.

Ahmad explained that to get out of several problems facing the country, every citizen must resolve to move away from regional sentiment ?and "other things that divides us and see our togetherness as a gift from the creator".

He however tasked the Federal Government to ensure that development is spread to the nooks and crannies of the country, noting that such step would ?in no time address continuous calls by some segment of the country to secede.

According to the Speaker, "there is no denying fact that the nation is still lagging behind in terms of real development. However, peace and unity of the country is sacrosanct and can not be traded with anything"

"We must do? whatever it takes to protect the nation's sovereignty while continuously appeal to the consciousness of some citizens who might be aggrieved for one reason or the other"?.

On the current state of the nation's economy, the Speaker who described the situation as unfortunate appealed for Nigerians calmness to move out of the difficulty.

Ahmad stressed that the present administration has been working round the clock to proffer solutions to the economic challenges, describing it as "temporary problem that would not last long".