Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja reassured Nigerians that his administration was determined to make things better in the shortest possible time.
The President, who gave the reassurance in his new year message, said he was aware that Nigerians had experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months.
He, however, stated that these challenges were temporary as his administration was working hard to make things better for all Nigerians, irrespective of their socio-political backgrounds.
“I am aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months.
“Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings.
“I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange.
“These challenges are only temporary; we are working to make things better.’’
Buhari pledged to continue to do his utmost best to keep to every promise he made to Nigerians during the election campaign.
He said that he would be totally committed to being that kind of leader.
He promised to continue to initiate positive and enduring change for the betterment of the nation in spite of distractions in some quarters.
“When I presented myself to you as a presidential candidate and asked you to vote for me, I wanted to be a leader who keeps his promises.
“I wanted to be a leader who restores the people’s hope in those elected to serve them.
“I wanted to be a leader who initiates positive and enduring CHANGE.
“I am still totally committed to being that kind of leader.
“Unforeseen circumstances and other distractions notwithstanding, I shall still do my utmost best to keep every promise I made to Nigerians during my election campaign,’’ he added.
Buhari further stated that Nigerians would in due course begin to enjoy the fruits of his administration’s ongoing work.
According to him, the effective and efficient implementation of the 2016 budget proposals will address many of the socio-economic issues that are of current concern to Nigerians.
“One area in which Nigerians, especially those in the northeast, have already begun to experience major CHANGE is in the war on terror.“
The President, therefore, commended the Armed Forces for significantly curtailing the insurgency which had ravaged the northeast of Nigeria over the past few years.
He, however, stated that there was still a lot of work to be done in the area of security.
“Our Armed Forces will maintain, consolidate and build on their successes in the war against Boko Haram and violent extremism.
“This government will not consider the matter concluded until the terrorists have been completely routed and normalcy restored to all parts of the country that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency,’’ he said
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On corruption, the president said his administration’s ongoing crackdown on corruption would continue to be vigorously undertaken.
He urged the courts to support these efforts and help in the recovery of stolen funds by speedily concluding trials and showing that impunity no longer had a place in the country.
“There is much work to do in other areas as well and I have charged all my ministers and other appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience positive changes in their lives in 2016.
“We must reduce our country’s reliance on oil. We must diversify our economy. And we must do all we can to promote job creation.
“Our challenges are many but our determination to succeed is strong and unshaken.
“So too is our confidence in God. I wish you all a very Happy New Year,’’ the President said.(NAN)
