My dear Compatriots,
I am happy to welcome you to
the beginning of a New Year in
our beloved country Nigeria.
I felicitate with you today at a
time when our nation is
witnessing a new and impressive
turnaround in our security and
socio-economic situation.
I know you will join me to, once
again, congratulate the heroic
and gallant efforts of our military
and other security agencies on
their remarkable successes to rid
the nation of terrorism.
Following the successful capture
of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded
by troops of Operation Lafiya
Dole, we have entered a new
phase in our battle against our
common enemy, Boko Haram.
When we see our beloved 21
Chibok girls reuniting with their
families and community for
Christmas, it gives us the hope
that those who are still in
captivity will one day return to
the loving arms of family, friends
and well-wishers.
I urge all Nigerians to be on the
alert and watch out for strange
figures settling in their
communities, and report to the
nearest security agencies, as our
armed forces intensify the
pursuit of fleeing terrorists from
the captured Sambisa Forest.
Misguided elements who
decided to take up arms against
constituted authorities must be
brought to face the full weight of
the law.
The support of all Nigerians to
security agencies to enable them
successfully execute their
mandate is crucial in our bid to
effectively secure our country.
Voluntary Return Of IDPs
Seeing the joyful return of
thousands of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) to
Damasak town in Borno State,
following the reopening of
Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road
in Northern Borno on December
25, 2016, reassured us that the
voluntary return of IDPs in other
parts of the country is imminent.
The Federal Government will
spare no effort in seeing to the
resettlement and rehabilitation
of the unfortunate victims of
terrorism and insurgency. I urge
state governments, privileged
Nigerians, donor agencies and
countries to redouble their
contributions towards this goal.
Government is aware of some
mistakes and wrongdoings in
handling the affairs of IDPs. We
are taking measures to correct
those mistakes and punish the
culprits.
In this New Year, I want to
reassure all Nigerians that our
defence and security forces are
more than ever before ready to
perform their constitutional role
of protecting lives and property
in the country; and we will surely
overcome all other forms of
security challenges.
The lingering security issues in
several states will be frontally
addressed. These ugly crises
cannot be allowed to fester as
they strain the unifying bonds of
brotherhood and
neighbourliness. Some sections
of the press and some politicians
should avoid provocative and
inflammatory statements, while
the government is painstakingly
trying to find solutions to our
challenges.
I want to remind you on the first
day of this New Year of an
African proverb that says “it is
easy to break a broomstick but
not a bunch”. Nigeria is a bunch
and is more than equal to
troublemakers.
I have interacted with a broad
spectrum of Nigerians, the old
and the young, and they have
told me unequivocally that they
believe in the unity and stability
of Nigeria.
United And Indivisible Nation
The year 2017 provides an
opportunity for us to build on
those aspects of our national life
that unite us. We are
courageous, hardworking,
hospitable, steadfast and
resilient people, even in the face
of difficulties.
These are the attributes that
define us and have for years
confounded the pessimists who
do not believe in our continued
existence as a united and
indivisible nation. We are a
remarkable nation that has
succeeded in harnessing our
multiple diversities for national
development. We must continue
to support and tolerate one
another and live together as one.
We will continue to pursue
peace initiatives in the Niger
Delta as I again, call on our
brothers in that region who have
taken to violent disruptions of
economic infrastructure to come
to the negotiating table.
As for our brothers and sisters
of the Shia Community, we urge
them, too, to embrace peace.
They must accept the laws of the
country they live in. They cannot
be islands by themselves. At the
same time, the law enforcement
agencies must treat them
humanely and according to the
rule of law.
Agricultural Revolution
On our part, in the past 20
months since our inauguration
on May 29, 2015, we have
focused our energies to turn
around the economy, create
jobs, fight corruption, and
transform agriculture to replace
oil and gas as a major revenue
earner for the nation. I am
encouraged that we are getting
things right.
The agricultural revolution has
begun. Farmers in different parts
of the country are experiencing
bumper harvests; states are
getting into strategic partnership
towards attaining self-sufficiency
in rice, and the era of over-
dependence on oil for foreign
exchange revenues is gradually
waning. I am optimistic that the
CHANGE we all yearned for in
voting this administration to
power in 2015 will manifest
more and be sustained in
different sectors, particularly
agriculture, in 2017.
As you may be aware, our
economic recovery and growth
plan in 2017 is anchored on
optimising the use of local
content and empowering local
businesses.
In pursuit of this
administration’s philosophy, we
will continue to appeal that we
buy “Made In Nigeria” goods.
Like I said during the 2017
Budget presentation to the
National Assembly, farmers,
small and medium-sized
manufacturers, agro-allied
businesses, dressmakers,
entertainers and technology
start-ups, will remain the true
drivers of our economic future.
They are the engine of our
economic recovery and their
needs underpin our Economic
Recovery and Growth Plan.
On job creation, this
administration will sustain
existing programmes aimed at
lifting a vast number of our
youth out of poverty, while at the
same time creating the
opportunities for people to fend
for themselves.
Our determination to wrestle
corruption to the ground
remains unshaken. This fight,
which will be guided by respect
for the rule of law and due
process, will not spare anybody
or organ of government. It is a
collective undertaking and
resolve that must be seen to its
logical conclusion in spite of
certain distractions. The fate of
our country lies partly in the
success of this campaign. It will
be unthinkable on my part to
allow the boat of this crucial
campaign promise capsize mid-
stream.
I thank you for the public
support for our administration’s
efforts to transform Nigeria. I
assure you again that the
current pains are temporary and
will ease when the economic
seeds in gestation begin to
bloom to fruition. I urge you to
continue to support this
administration in its effort to
transform Nigeria for the good
of all.
I wish you a Happy New Year,
2017.
Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
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Title :
President Buhari’s
New Year Message
To Nigerians
Description : My dear Compatriots, I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria. I felicitate with you...
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