…Congratulates fellow birthday mates, Suzzette Wike, Francis Bruce, others
Former representative of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has declared that he is irrevocably committed to a united and inclusive Nigeria, built by Nigerians.
Abe, in his appreciation message to family members, friends, and associates titled: “FIFTY-FIVE YEARS, AND A MEMORABLE DAY,” said great nations and cities are not created or made, rather they are built by the sweat, sacrifice, hard work, and cooperation of their citizens.
The message reads in parts: “Yesterday was the 24th of May 2020, I turned 55.
“What a day it turned out to be. Even before 12 midnight family and friends started calling in and sending messages and prayers full of love and good wishes.
My plan for my birthday was simple, sleep early which I did, wake up early in the morning, go to my private sitting room, and spend the day on my couch and on my phone. I wanted to personally respond to every text, reply every post, and answer every call.
I got up and followed my plan, determined to surprise my friends and well-wishers with my resolve to respond personally to everyone.
Alas, that was not to be, just as I tried to settle down to deal with my calls and goodwill messages my phone crashed, it just simply went off and like Humpty Dumpty there was nothing I could do to revive my old iPhone, in the end, I gave up on the phone or the phone gave up on me (depending on whose side you are on).
The absence of my phone changed the trajectory of my day instead of being a couch potato; I became an active vibrant birthday boy. It proves that things can happen but we still have a choice. We choose how we react.
Nigerians can do the same. No matter what happens, no matter what the naysayers say, my resolve is that we have a country and it is our responsibility to make it our own paradise on earth.
We cannot afford to do otherwise. If we fail, it will simply be because we could not find enough believers to build Nigeria. Every other reason for failure is a lie. We should never give up on our country or give in to naysayers. If others can do it and are still working hard to build their country, so can we”.
To his birthday mates, Senator Abe said: “l did not get a chance to say happy birthday to my special birthday mates, my own sister-in-law, Mrs. Eva Abe, the wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Suzette Nyesom Wike, my brother, Hon. George Tolofari, my Oga, Mr. Francis Bruce, and all other friends with whom I share this special day.
You all know that I never forget our special bond, yesterday was no exception as you were all in my prayers.
Like I said, things can happen to you in life but no matter what happens you still hold the ace because, las las you get to decide how you chose to react.
Over the past 54 years a lot of things have happened to me but I chose to accept every experience as a blessing and I have been blessed and enriched by that choice. I am grateful to the almighty God not just for the privilege of life, but for the special privilege of love.
Am grateful to my wife, my children, family members, friends, political associates, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political opponents, your outpouring of goodwill was indeed overwhelming.
I feel particularly loved and appreciated, I have nothing to give you all in return except to say thank you. I thank you for the time and resources you expended, the newspaper adverts, the radio jingles, posts in the social media and encomiums so generously displayed, I am forever indebted.
It is my hope and prayer that the good God that never sleeps, the one to whom all mankind turns in their hour of need, will send each and every one of you someone to bring you that special joy, the same way he has used you to bring joy to my family and I ” he added.
Signed:
PARRY SAROH BENSON, ANIPR
Spokesperson to Senator Magnus Ngei Abe.
May 26, 2020
