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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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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