BUHARI'S STANCE ON PRESENT STATE OF NIGERIA'S ECONOMY

The president, who was represented by former Ekiti state governor and deputy chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South, Segun Oni, said his administration cannot afford to fail the enormous expectations of Nigerians, who expect it to lead the country to greater heights.

President Buhari noted that despite that fact that Nigeria was born in adversity, raised to adolescence in the turbulence of the colonial period and its majesty was forged in the furnace of hard experience of the post-colonial era, the country had been able to prevail on its challenges to emerge as the biggest economy in Africa. 

“Today, our country has the fastest growing economy in Africa and one of the fastest in the world. Our dominance is not so much because of our wealth, but because of the tremendous energy and resourcefulness of our people.

“How many countries of the world can parade the likes of Professor Wole Soyinka, Jay Jay Okocha, King Sunny Ade and Alhaji Aliko Dangote literally under the same roof?” 

President Buhari expressed hope that Nigeria will be greater with the proper handling of its abundant human and natural resources. 

The president noted that only a Nigeria could have given meaning to the unconquerable spirit, limitless energy, collective creativity, cultural diversity and unique sense of enterprise of Nigerians.

“Yes, our land is blessed by providence with riches in oil and gas, iron ore, gold, limestone and almost all the minerals of this earth. Our soil can grow almost any crop and our vegetation supports animal life as varied as creation can manifest. Our rivers and coast lines are rich with fishes and various kinds of life. Yet, despite these bounties from nature, I have no doubt that the greatest blessings of Nigeria are the people of Nigeria, the wonderful people that give expression to the grandeur and majesty of our beloved country,” he said. 

The president also used the occasion to pay tribute to the country’s pre-independence leaders and extolled former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan for taking care of the nation’s democracy for the past 16 years.

 “We are in debt to the founding fathers of our Republic, Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and many other heroes of the anti-colonial struggle.

“They hoisted for us the banner of freedom that we are still enjoying till today. As President, the experience of each of my predecessors as Chief of State has provided a guiding map for us in moments of hard decisions and when we have to embrace the loneliness of power. 

“The 12 men: Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Muhammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, each had the unique experience of modulating and moderating the sometimes turbulent temper of our great country,” Buhari said. Speaking also, Obasanjo, who was represented by prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, charged Nigerians to contribute to the greatness of the country, saying: “As long as Nigeria has life, we should give it hope; we should all resolve to heal Nigeria.”