Leaders from around the world have been releasing statements of renewed hope to usher in the New Year.
Nigeria’s leader in his new year message promised Nigerians better days ahead, whilst owning up to the hardship they feel.
“I am aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months.” Buhari said in his new year message.
Speaking further, Buhari said, “I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange.”
Meanwhile the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday expressed delight that Nigeria would celebrate the New Year 2016 as a peaceful and united nation contrary to negative predictions that the country would disintegrate in 2015.
In his New Year message to Nigerians he aslo congratulated the people for their resilience and patience especially in the face of daunting economic challenges.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has called on Nigerians to work and pray for the peace and progress of the country in the New Year.
Ekweremadu, who made the call in his New Year message, said despite the economic challenges of the moment, Nigeria made tremendous progress in nurturing democracy and preserving the peace and unity of the country.
He said, “There is no doubt that 2015 will be remembered as a defining year for the nation’s democracy and unity. We have to give deserved credit to the Nigerian people, whose sense of patriotism ensured that we held successful general elections and an unprecedented and smooth handover of government from one political party to the other.
“As we enter the New Year, therefore, it behoves on all Nigerians, leaders and the led alike, to sustain our democratic gains, especially the preservation of the rule of law and the sanctity of the ballot box as these two are the cornerstones of both democracy and stability.”
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister, David Cameron and leader of Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn are both confident of making big advances in 2016.
On extremism, with Britain on high terror alert on New Year’s Eve, Mr Cameron says: “This is one of the biggest issues facing our country. Of course, we need to tackle the hate preachers and take down the online material that radicalises so many.
“But we also need to address the issues that for too long have been swept under the carpet.
In Kenya, opposition leader Raila Odinga, said 2016 will be a defining year for change and progress, because majority of Kenyans were better aware of the challenges facing the country.
“Insecurity, runaway corruption, a wanting electoral infrastructure, wobbly economy whose growth is seen in the stock market and corporate profits but not in the lives of our people and safeguarding the constitution are some of the most immediatechallenges we will have to address,” he said in his statement.
Scotland’s party leaders also issued their new year messages.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted 2016 to be a “year of optimism” with a focus on economic growth.
Labour’s Kezia Dugdale said the Holyrood election in May would be the most significant since devolution.
Ruth Davidson of the Conservatives hoped the year would bring greater security to families, while Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie vowed to tackle the shortage of GPs.
Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie set his party’s sights on success in the Scottish elections.