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President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the
current administration as it remains committed to the tenets of good
governance.
The President made the call at the 2018 Democracy Day lecture, held on
Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
While reflecting on the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government in
the last three years, the president said his administration was working
hard to deliver more democratic dividends to citizens.
“Overall we are on track. I thank all and commend all who have worked so
far with us to achieve these successes.
“I assure you that our people will continue to see and experience more
progress, more prosperity and greater security.’’
He called on Nigerians to remain steadfast and keep faith with this
administration as it remained committed to peace building, good governance
and the delivery of the best dividends of democracy to the Nigerian
people.
Buhari noted that the country has had its rough times but maintained that
the government would not allow itself to be overwhelmed.
According to him, the Federal Government has taken the needed steps to
sustain peace in all parts of the country affected by various crises.
He said: “We have engaged in several rounds of dialogue and town hall
meetings, targeted at peace building between aggrieved persons and
communities.
“We have worked hard to decimate insurgents in various parts of the
country.’’
The President, who sympathised with people affected by insurgency and
communal clashes across the country, said the rebuilding of the North-east
was on-going, saying this would enable displaced persons to return to
their respective abodes.
He also reiterated the determination of his administration to fight
corruption to a standstill in order to achieve meaningful development.
“Our resolve to fight corruption was informed by the realization that
reducing corruption and ensuring the effective and just utilisation of
public resources are crucial for achieving sustainable growth and
development in Nigeria.
“Corruption has been at the root of most of the development challenges of
our country.
“There can be no progress in any facet of our national life unless we
tackle and curb corruption.
“Corruption manifests itself in several forms, including accelerating
poverty, conflicts and civil disturbances, resulting into violence and
destruction; therefore, all must be done to stop it.’’
He further reiterated that his administration would not relent in its
efforts to eliminate the menace of corruption in spite of the strong
opposition against such moves form some quarters.
He noted that Nigeria’s security situation had greatly improved against
the background of what the current government inherited in 2015.
The president said: “Incidences of bombings in towns and villages have
been drastically curtailed; series of plots have been averted with many
culprits arrested through the vigilance, patriotism and professionalism of
security agencies.’’
He therefore restated government’s determination to continue to equip
troops to confront agents of violence until total victory was attained.
Buhari also noted that the economy had continued to improve with
government achieving its objectives, some of which he listed to include
increased food production and food security and rapid economic
diversification.
He also observed with delight that the country’s foreign reserves had
reached new heights.
The President, who reflected on events leading to the conduct and
announcement of results of the 2015 general elections, `queried’
organisers of the programme for not inviting former Minister of Niger
Delta Affairs, Mr Godsday Orubebe to the event.
He said his invitation would have afforded him the opportunity to listen
to Prof. Mahmud Jega’s lecture on good governance.
“Here I must digress to raise an observation by (to) the programme’s
organisers because I did not see Mr Orubebe who ought to have come and
listened to Prof. Jega delivering this lecture.
“This is a major observation. For those of us, who were lucky that there
was light and we have the television to see the confrontation between Mr
Orubebe and Prof. Jega, that instant made a life impression in some of us.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Jega, the immediate past
Chairman of INEC, delivered the 2018 Democracy Day lecture entitled; Peace
Building and Good Governance for sustainable Development in Nigeria. (NAN)