ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday broke fast with members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, seeking their support to end the menace of Boko Haram especially with their recent allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraqi and Syria (ISIS) which has the capacity to extend their activities to other parts of the world.
It was his first meeting with the diplomatic corps after his inauguration on May 29th.
Buhari told the diplomats that Nigeria was prepared to play any leadership role in Africa and beyond that would bring about development and improvement of lives of citizens.
According to him, his government was already taking necessary steps to end Boko Haram which has continued to kill innocent lives. Such steps, he noted, include the rejigging of the nation’s security architecture through replacement of service chiefs on Monday as well as the relocation of the Command Centre to Maiduguri, in order to be closer to the theatre of war.
The President stressed the need for the support of countries within the African region and the Lake Chad area to end Boko Haram’s activities.
While thanking their countries for the support for his election, Buhari said his government would work towards diversifying the economy and blocking of leakages in the course of fighting corruption.
The dean of diplomatic corps and Ambassador of Saharawi Republic (Western Sahara), Oubi Bachir, had earlier commended the President on his election and the people of Nigeria for a peaceful democratic transition.
He said the commitment to the unity of Nigeria was a display of high sense of citizenship and nationalism.
Oubi, who also thanked the President for hosting them to the breaking of fast in the Month of Ramadan, condemned the insurgency in the North East, which he said has nothing to do with Islam.
He also said that members of the corps believe the efforts of the president would be a success and assured that they would all stand to support Nigeria end terrorism.