Nigeria

Nigeria at 59: President Buhari sends important message to Nigerians

Tuesday, October 01, 2019 at 9:04 AM by Khadijah Thabit

- President Muhamadu Buhari said the diversification of the economy of the country remains a priority

- The president said the economy has recovered from recession and has continued growing

- Buhari called on Nigerians to support his administration in achieving its goal

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to join hands with his administration in achieving economic development.

In his address to the nation on the occasion of the country’s 59 years independent celebration on Tuesday, October 1, the president expressed optimism that Nigeria will emerge “stronger from its present challenges and more resilient than ever.”

President Buhari urged Nigerians to exercise restraint in airing their grievances while welcome all national discourse.

He said: “Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media.

Whilst we uphold the constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringe on the rights of other citizens or threaten to undermine our national security, we will take firm and decisive action.

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“The path of hatred and distrust only leads to hostility and destruction. I believe that the vast majority of Nigerians would rather tread the path of peace and prosperity, as we continue to uphold and cherish our unity.”

President Buhari said diversification of the economy still remains a priority and said the new Economic Advisory Council will help to give good direction for the country.

He said: “I recently constituted an Economic Advisory Council to advise me on inclusive and sustainable macroeconomic, fiscal and monetary policies. This independent body will work with relevant Cabinet members and the heads of key monetary, fiscal and trade agencies to ensure we remain on track as we strive for collective prosperity. However, we are also committed to ensure that the inconvenience associated with any painful policy adjustments, is moderated, such that the poor and the vulnerable, who are most at risk, do not bear the brunt.”

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Buhari said the “Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case.

“Our efforts to improve the power sector will complement other infrastructure investment projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which is investing in the Mambilla Power Plant project, as well as key economic road infrastructure such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano Expressway. The first set of these projects remain on track to be completed by 2022.”

Meanwhile, the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, affirmed that Nigeria still has challenges, but said such should be seen as steps towards the country's greatness.

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Legit.ng reports that Lawan said this in a message to mark the 59th independence anniversary of the country.