He said this in a speech given on Friday at the Federal Palace Hotels in Lagos, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Telegraph.

To combat insecurity, Lawan asked all Nigerians to be unified and undivided as a people.

“Crime committed by anyone is a crime. If someone from an ethnic group commits a crime he is a criminal. Is that not what he is? It doesn’t matter. The country is supposed to fight against that person. Criminals should not enjoy any support from any group even if it is from their ethnic group.

“Nigeria faces security challenges, but I feel there is certainly determination by all levels of government to fight the insecurity that we face. In some areas, we succeeded; in others, we are still working hard to succeed. What is important is for us to think to remain focused, undivided, and united as a people.”

He also stated that the Senate was on track to enact the 2022 appropriation budget before the holidays, allowing the executive branch to begin working on it the following year.

“As a member, I have never seen a Senate chamber that is so united, dedicated, and focused on achieving great achievements of legislation and progress for our dear nation as this,” he added, expressing his admiration for this group of senators. I’m currently serving my fourth term in the Senate. When we arrived in 2019, our colleagues decided to offer us the opportunity to serve them; we all agreed that this time, regardless of our political views, we must work together for Nigeria.

“So far, the ninth National Assembly has recorded a lot of successes. That is not to say that we don’t have our failures. We have our failures. It is in this senate that we have been able to pass the budget before Christmas in 2020 and we are sure we would pass the budget for 2022 before Christmas, which would allow the executive arm of government to start the implementation of the budget in the first month of the New Year.

“I want to also add here that it is this Senate and National Assembly that saw the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill that was denied passage for over 20 years. This is one very important, historic, and essential pillar of legislation for our country. We have passed other legislation.

“Our country is going through some challenges. Some we cannot handle through legislation. I believe as politicians at all levels of governance, complement each other, pattern and ensure that we deliver service to the people of our country.”