President Buhari has promised Nigerians that things will turn from bad to good this year.
He asked for the faith and commitment of every Nigerian in his New Year message to the nation..
Here is Naijalog’s 6 takeaways from the message
An appreciative heart
The President in his New Year message, appreciated the gallant efforts of the men of the Nigerian armed forces who have and are still ensuring that insurgency is stopped.
In Buhari’s words:
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.
A word of caution
While the President was happy that the war against insurgency is being won, he also advised that at the moment of victory, the nation should not be over joyous and forget that the bad elements are now acting as wolves in sheep clothing and rejoining us in our normal communities
“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.”
Olive branch to Niger-Delta militants and Shia sect
President Buhari also used is New Year’s Day message to reach out to Nigeria Delta miltants and the Shia sect, advising them that now is the time to stop violence and tow the path to peace.
“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.”
Eating the humble pie
The people of the North East have suffered a lot from the scourge of Boko Haram, and some who have been luck not to be killed but who have been displaced from their homes have sought refugee at Internally Displaced Persons camps floated by the Nigerian government.
However ,this fortress which was supposed be an abode of peace for them is turning into a house of terror, as well documented cases of abuses, sexual violence by security personnel in the position of trust have come to light.
Also top government officials have also not helped matters, as they have continued to steal what rightfully belongs to IDPs, cases of government officials diverting funds meant for the purchase of food and other items for these refugees in their own homeland is becoming rampant, but in his New Year message, The Buhari government has accepted the wrongs and promised to do right by them
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.
Change will manifest in 2017
President Buhari’s campaign promise was to change things if given the mandate to lead, and at that time, his message of hope sounded good to numerous Nigerians and thus he won the presidential election of 2015, defeating then incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan.
But since being sworn in as president on May 29, 2015, Nigerians have not felt the impact of his promises.
At this point even his ardent supporters are disillusioned, but Buhari has once again renewed his promise, saying in his New Year message that
“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.”
Appeal to partonise Made-in-Nigeria goods
Once again, Buhari has reiterated that the only way Nigeria can get out of the present economy recession is through “optimizing 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.”
Divided we fall, united we stand
Probably the best advice, was in saying, “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.”
He and his cabinets have failed us, we Nigerians are praying and hoping
that things will turn
from bad to good this
year.