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NIMASA: Minister Commissions Skill Acquisition Centre

By
James Orji
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0

The outgoing Honorable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo weekend commissioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA skill acquisition centre in Zaria Kaduna State and a twin lecture theatre donated by the Agency to Kaduna State University.

The skill acquisition centre located in Zaria has facilities such as Electrical, mechanical, sewing, technical, and welding learning facilities amongst others for youths and women.

Speaking at the event, the Minister noted that these projects are part of the legacies of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to improve education as a basic need for economic development and used the opportunity to commend the Management of the Agency for the initiative.

On his part, the Director General, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, OFR noted that the NIMASA skill acquisition centre is one of the centres located across the six geo-political zones of the country. He also disclosed that higher institutions in all geo-political zones of the country are benefitting from the Agency under her Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

“Our desire as an Agency is to ensure young Nigerians acquire skills to make them self-dependent thus productively engaged. We are also developing such centres in Niger, Lagos, Anambra, Gombe, Bayelsa and Rivers States. This is also aimed at fighting insecurity on land which will have a multiplier effect on security in the maritime domain”, he said.

The outgoing Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, CON represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe noted the commitment of Kaduna State Government to education and thanked NIMASA for completing the project in record time.

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli CFR, commended NIMASA for citing the Project in the Emirate council assuring that the centre will be maintained for the benefit of the people.

Tinubu’s Bumpy Road To Aso Rock

By
James Orji
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0
Tinubu and Buhari

In less than one hour, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take his oath as Nigeria’s 16th president. But amidst the pomp and pageantry of the occasion of his swearing-in at Eagle Square, venue of the august ceremony, the incoming president and commander-in-chief, analysts say, is one of the very few Nigerians who contested the position and won on first attempt.

Tinubu must count himself lucky, according to those who have been watching his trajectory since he became the governor of Lagos in 1999.

Those close to him said his ambition to lead the country started then, and he has been working assiduously to ensure that he never failed in his quest to become the commander-in-chief.

But he took a bold step to achieve this on January 10, 2022 when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock and informed him that he wanted to succeed him.

“I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult,” Tinubu said.

His announcement to take a shot at the nation’s top job was received with mixed feelings among Nigerians, some said he has the capacity to lead the country while others disagreed.

The master political strategist he is, Tinubu since then never wavered in his quest to succeed the incumbent, also considering the opposition that rose against him along the line as he tried to secure his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination to contest the highest office in the country.

On June 6, 20202, six months after he informed Buhari about his ambition, Tinubu went ahead to defeat vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi as his party’s flagbearer in the February 25 presidential election.

He won despite the fact that some powerful forces in his party were opposed to him representing the party at the presidential poll.

For instance, Abdullahi Adamu, the APC candidate had hinted during a meeting held by top leaders of the party in Abuja that Senate President Ahmad Lawan was the party’s choice for the presidency.

Amidst the controversial comment made by Adamu, other school of thought also believed that President Buhari did not want Tinubu to succeed him, even though the president never for once stated publicly his choice for the top job.

Fortunately, neither Adamu nor the recalcitrant Buhari succeeded in stopping Tinubu who went ahead to win the APC nomination, and the stage was now set for him to contest with Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and other candidates who have won their parties’ nominations to contest the nation’s presidency.

With his party still divided over the outcome of the APC presidential primary, Tinubu went ahead to face the two major presidential candidates of the PDP and LP on February 25 without clear indications of who amongst them will win the keenly contested election.

On March 1 2023, the Prof. Mahmud Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared Tinubu winner of the presidential election, after scoring a total of 8,794,726 votes to beat other 17 candidates including Atiku and Obi who came second and third.

Prof. Yakubu said Tinubu met the constitutional provision of scoring the highest number of votes, 25 per cent of the votes cast in 30 states, more than the 24 states constitutionally required.

May 29: Tinubu Restates Promise To Fight Corruption

By
James Orji
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0
Bola Tinubu and Shettima

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the fight against corruption will be the priority of his government.

The former Lagos Governor is billed to be sworn in in less than two hours as the nation’s 16th president, succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure expires today.

One of the snags of the outgoing administration is its failure to tackle corruption, critics of the government say.

But Tinubu, the man who is taking over the baton of leadership on May 29 said on Sunday that fighting graft will be a cardinal agenda of his administration.

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s incoming president, has assured that he will deliver on his campaign promises.

The former governor who spoke at a dinner organised by the presidential transition council, PTC, at the Aso Rock Villa on Sunday night, said corruption is one of the plagues ravaging the country.

He said, “We must fight corruption, poverty, inconsistencies in policies and many other problems confronting us, but don’t pity me, I asked for the job. I campaigned for it, no excuses, I will live up to the bill to deliver. I promise you.”

Not a few are watching how his administration will tackle the hydra-headed corruption problem in the country considering that he has been accused of corrupting himself with the resources of Lagos state government while he was governor of the Aquatic state.

Tinubu has denied the allegation, and has not been convicted of any corruption related charges.

Programme For The Swearing-in Of The New President And Vice President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, May 29,2023

By
The Source
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0
Bola Tinubu and Shettima
  1. Invited dignitaries to be seated at Eagles Square.
  1. The President-elect and Vice President Elect arrive.
  1. Outgoing President (PMB) and VP (PYO) arrive.
  1. Outgoing VP takes his last salute.
  1. Outgoing President takes his last salute.
  1. Outgoing ADC hands over old military colours to Outgoing President.
  1. Prayers.
  1. CJN will be invited to swear in new VP.
  1. CJN swears in the new President and Commander- in-Chief of the Arned Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  1. Immediate Past President (PMB) hands over new colours to the new President & instrument of office.
  1. Former President leaves for Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport enroute Katsina or Kaduna (using a different car that brought him to the venue).
  1. PMB takes off for Katsina or Kaduna (With 001 for the last time).
  1. The new President takes his first salute and inspect the Guards of Honour.
  1. New President addresses the nation for the first time as President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
  1. President drives to the Villa (using the official vehicle that brought PMB to the venue)
  1. New President hosts visiting Presidents/ Head of State/ head of delegation/ Ambassadors / Development Partners/ former Ministers/ members of NASS especially
  1. In the evening, there will be a state banquet to toast to the new President.
  1. Work starts on May 30, 2023.

(Live Transmission of the swearing of the President elect @officialABAT and VP elect @officialSKSM will be broadcast via all National Television stations  including HallyTv and FRCN.)

May 29: “I Join Majority Of Nigerians To Reject  Shameful Condition Of Our Country” – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi

“Urges Judiciary to reaffirm its independence and integrity”

“l am aware that evil is  being planned against me”

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, in the  February 25, 2023, Presidential election, Peter Obi, has revealed that evil is being planned against him.” I am aware that some evil designs are being hatched against me. Efforts will be made to taint my image. Campaigns of calumny are being perfected to defame my character and diminish my hard-earned integrity  all aimed at degrading our support base and confusing  the public”, Obi said.

Inspite of all that, Obi insists  he is on the same page with Nigerians in rejecting the present shameful conditions of Nigeria. But, he reaffirms hope for a better Nigeria which is “POssible.”

Obi, in a statement titled:

‘AT A TIME LIKE THIS: MY MESSAGE TO FELLOW NIGERIANS’ to mark the May 29, 2023, swearing-in of a new President, noted that this is a time for deep reflection. And, also, a time to ‘’re-examine our assumptions, even as we reaffirm our hopes, review our aspirations, recalibrate our expectations, and pin down the causes of our missed opportunities and disappointments”

The Presidential standard bearer said that the country stands at that critical moment in time when, as a people, ‘’we must collectively come to grips with the reality of our injured destiny as well as the reasons for that injury. It is for us to reassess our plight as a young democracy and identify clear pathways to a better and greater future for us all”

He noted that “the conduct and outcome of the last National elections have showcased the troubled state of our democracy where a minority, indeed a handful of partisans, seem satisfied with the conduct of the election and the results, while the majority of Nigerian voters and many international observers remain confounded by the process and the outcome.”

Obi, however, reiterated that even though serious reservations have been expressed by a significant majority of stakeholders about the shortcomings of the elections, it’s not for anyone to take the laws into his hands.

“As we await the verdict of the Election Tribunal, I urge all Nigerians to use this opportunity to renew their commitment to the Nigerian ideal and ensure that such ideal remains noble and worth every sacrifice we can make.

“Nigeria remains our only patrimony and it is a patrimony we must protect, rather than violate. We have no other nation but this, so let us remain committed to rescuing and rebuilding it.”

On the Judiciary, the former Anambra state Governor noted that the Judiciary is part of the democratic enterprise and a critical governance tool for determining the propriety of the decisions and actions of every citizen and every institution of the state and enjoined the people to treat it with the respect and dignity it deserves.

“We expect that the Nigerian judiciary will use the election cases now before it to reaffirm its independence and integrity. It has to do so, for all our sakes and for itself. Nigerians must, therefore, remain peaceful and law-abiding. No matter the depth of anyone’s reservations about what is going on in the polity today, no matter the real and imagined provocations, and no matter the disagreement out there, we should remember that this will not last forever.

“Like the majority of Nigerians, I reject the present shameful condition of our country. I reject the widespread criminal plundering of our nation’s wealth by those who are called to manage it and serve the people. I also reject, without reservations, the growing impression that our nation is one in which the most important requirements for 21st-century nationhood can be routinely violated with impunity.”

Obi said he would not join “the bandwagon in the idea that we should just blunder along, even though everything needed for responsible leadership, equity, sustainable development, and nationhood are missing. I reject a nation where Security, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence are on a steady decline.

“Why should we rank among the worst, globally, in the three most important indices that separate developed and undeveloped nations, namely: Education, Health, and Per Capita income? It is from the indices regarding our human capital development, primary health care, and general development infrastructure that our beloved country got ranked as the poverty capital of the world.”

The Presidential Candidate explained that it is because we need good, and focused, leadership that he contested the February 25 Presidential Elections, and sought the exalted office to end the current situation, wherein we use our scarce human resources to train manpower for even more developed nations.

He reiterated his commitment, untiring zeal, and determination to work with like-minded fellow Nigerians to end the curse of missed opportunities and squandered hope that has become our lot here.

He charged Nigerians, especially the youths to remain steadfast, calm, patient, and peaceful.

“Our journey may be long and difficult but it is worth it in every way because ‘Victory is assured’.

“We have to work together to move our beautiful country from corruption and criminality to a center of productivity rather than aimless consumption.”

Obi noted that he is aware that some evil designs are being hatched against him and his supporters in the coming months.

“Efforts will be made to taint my image. Campaigns of calumny are being perfected to defame my character and diminish my hard-earned integrity, all aimed at degrading our support base and confusing the public.

“But, no evil campaign will alter the substance of my character; nor diminish my patriotic commitment to a better Nigeria. It is not about me. It is about a better Nigeria. It is about the future of our youths.it is about ending the Years of Locust.”

Finally, Obi thanked members of his Party and the Media for their support and noted that the Media as the Fourth Estate of the realm, has remained a trusted ally as he urged them to continue to guide our people on the immense promise of a future in a new Nigeria.

Following is the full text of Obi’s statement.

AT A TIME LIKE THIS: MY MESSAGE TO FELLOW NIGERIANS

“For all Nigerians, this is a time for deep reflection. It is also a time to re-examine our assumptions, even as we reaffirm our hopes. Let us calmly review our aspirations, to recalibrate our expectations and pin down the causes of our missed opportunities and disappointments.

“We stand at that critical moment in time when, as a people, we must collectively come to grips with the reality of our injured destiny as well as the reasons for that injury. It is for us to reassess our plight as a young democracy and identify clear pathways to a better and greater future for us all.

“The conduct and outcome of the last National elections have showcased the troubled state of our democracy. While a minority, indeed a handful of partisans, seem satisfied with the conduct of the election and the results, the majority of Nigerian voters and many international observers remain confounded by the process and the outcome.  Serious reservations have been expressed by a significant majority of stakeholders about the shortcomings of the elections. But it is not for anyone to take the laws into his hands.

“As we await the verdict of the Election Tribunal, I urge all Nigerians to use this opportunity to renew their commitment to the Nigerian ideal. That ideal remains noble and worth every sacrifice we can make. Nigeria remains our only patrimony and it is a patrimony we must protect, rather than violate. We have no other nation but this, so let us remain committed to rescuing and rebuilding it.

“The Judiciary is part of the democratic enterprise and a critical governance tool for determining the propriety of the decisions and actions of every citizen and every institution of the state. To that extent, and for that reason, I urge everyone to treat it with the respect and dignity it deserves.

“We expect that the Nigerian judiciary will use the election cases now before it to reaffirm its independence and integrity. It has to do so, for all our sakes and for itself. Nigerians must, therefore, remain peaceful and law-abiding. No matter the depth of anyone’s reservations about what is going on in the polity today, no matter the real and imagined provocations, and no matter the disagreement out there, we should remember that this will not last forever.

“Like the majority of Nigerians, I reject the present shameful condition of our country. I reject the widespread criminal plundering of our nation’s wealth by those who are called to manage it and serve the people. I also reject, without reservations, the growing impression that our nation is one in which the most important requirements for 21st-century nationhood can be routinely violated with impunity.

“Not for me, the idea that we should just blunder along, even though everything needed for responsible leadership, equity, sustainable development, and nationhood are missing. I reject a nation where Security, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence are on a steady decline.

“Why should we rank among the worst, globally, in the three most important indices that separate developed and undeveloped nations, namely: Education, Health, and Per Capita income? It is from the indices regarding our human capital development, primary health care, and general development infrastructure that our beloved country got ranked as the poverty capital of the world.

“It is not right that our few educated and skilled youth should be trooping out to other lands. They are not leaving willingly, no! They all wish to be here, happily contributing to the development of their country. But that is if Nigeria is working on its needs and hopes.

“It is because we need good, and focused, leadership that I contested the February 25 Presidential Elections. I sought the exalted office to end the current situation, wherein we use our scarce human resources to train manpower for even more developed nations.

“It bears repetition, to say that my race for the 2023 election was fueled by the desire to reverse these negative trends. I  remain committed, and untiring, in my determination to work with like-minded fellow Nigerians to end the curse of missed opportunities and squandered hope that has become our lot here. I will never shrink from that original commitment, because I firmly believe that we must change from the present politics of criminality, and corruption, to make a new Nigeria possible.

“I call on fellow Nigerians, especially the youths to remain steadfast, calm, patient, and peaceful.  Our journey may be long and difficult but it is worth it in every way. Victory is assured. We have to work together to move our beautiful country from corruption and criminality to a center of productivity rather than aimless consumption.

“I am aware of some evil designs being hatched against me and my supporters in the coming months. Efforts will be made to taint my image. Campaigns of calumny are being perfected to defame my character and diminish my hard-earned integrity. These schemes will aim at degrading our support base and confusing the public.

“But, no evil campaign will alter the substance of my character; nor diminish my patriotic commitment to a better Nigeria. It is not about me. It is about a better Nigeria. It is about the future of our youths.it is about ending the Years of Locust.

“In all of this, I thank the people at our great party and the media. The latter, as the Fourth Estate of the realm, has remained a trusted ally. This Estate must continue to guide our people on the immense promise of a future in a new Nigeria.

“God bless Nigeria and protect the troops keeping us safe in this season of vaulting insecurity.

“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

Benue: Ortom Hands Over  N187bn Debt To Successor, Rev. Fr. Alia

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Samuel Ortom Handover

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 24 hours to the handing over of the Benue State affairs to the incoming Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, outgoing Governor Samuel Ortom has handed over the sum of  N187 billion in debt made up of salary arrears, loans, contractual obligations, and others.

At the old banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi, Ortom gave a summary of contents in his handover note said that a total sum of N734.9 billion was accrued to the State throughout his eight years.

He added that the expenditure and others gulped N735.6 billion admitting that the debt situation of the state was on the high side.

He said: “This handover note contained not only structure but activities of my eight years of administration. It has sectoral briefs of the agencies, ministries, and departments.

“It contains three volumes; volume one is the handover of all MDAs, volume two comprises of policy document of my administration, (the Benue development plan) the part b is the comprehensive briefs submitted by ministries and agencies and part three contained highlights of debt profile and pension.

“The revenue and income from all sources; federation account, Value Added Tax, grants, loans, and others stand at N734.9 billion as of the end of April while the expenditure stand at N735.6b as of the end of April.

“The Indebtedness of the state which comprises salary arrears, pension, contractual obligations, and others is N187 billion.

The outgoing Governor added, “The debt situation of the state might appear on the high side but the government had taken significant steps to reduce this through debt swap with the federal government.

Ortom informed the incoming Governor to make use of the opportunities of funds that will soon be available for him such as the backlog of stamp duty and N61 billion loan facilities from the Central Bank of Nigeria for a smooth take-off.

The incoming Governor applauded Ortom for the handover saying that he was happy for the successful transition of power, wishing his predecessor success in his future endeavours.

Alia, a Catholic Priest, suspended from Priesthood for joining Politics is of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Ortom, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was roundly defeated in all the elections in his State, including failing in his aspiration to be a Senator.

FG Gives Uzodinma National Honour, Awards Him CON

By
The Source
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0
Buhari and Hope Uzodimma2

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been honoured with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON,) award by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the different categories of the Special National Honours award 2023 on Sunday.

Governor Uzodimma’s came less than 12 hours after the Government of Rivers State found him worthy for its highest honour of Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS).

Imo people are already excited over the harvest of awards which they say were both fitting and deserving of a hardworking Governor.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the recognition by the federal government signposts the immense contributions of the Governor to national development and unity.

He also said it was a vindication of Uzodinma’s tireless commitment to national cohesion and patriotic zeal in the discharge of his duties.

Emelumba said Imo people were particularly appreciative of President Buhari’s love for the Governor and the State, noting Sen. Uzodimma will continue to be at the vanguard for national cohesion and growth both as a public officer and patriotic Nigerian.

Also, the Chairman of the Board of Benjamin Uwajimogu College of the Ihitte Uboma, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe said Governor Uzodimma deserves any honour done him by the federal government, State, groups or individuals because “he has proven to have capacity for national, state and individuals development.’

Eze Oliver said he is confident that “more honours are coming the way of our beloved and performing Governor.”

According to an APC chieftain and business mogul, Chief Henry Njoku, “Governor Uzodinma to us is Mr. Capacity. He has shown that in virtually everything he finds himself doing, both in terms of national and State assignments, he delivers. We are happy for the award because he deserves it and even more.”

Suspected Oodua Nation Agitators Seize Radio Station In Ibadan

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Oodua Nation Agitators

By Ayodele Oni

Less than 24 hours to the swearing in of a new President of Yoruba extraction, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital played host to some suspected agitators of Oodua Nation who announced secession.

At the early hours of Sunday, the agitators moved to actualize their demands as they went on rampage and hijacked Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM, Moniya, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Amuludun FM is one of the subsidiaries of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, (FRCN).

According to reports, the suspected agitators, who were about twenty, stormed the station with loads of charms at half past five in the morning and hijacked the live studio, while a sponsored programme was ongoing and commenced live broadcast of their programme.

Some of them were seen in attires worn by adherents of a particular Yoruba diety.

Among their claims are “Oodua Nation has come to stay” “Yoruba no more under Federal Republic of Nigeria”  “United Nations will soon declare Oodua Nation” among others things.

They made broadcasts for about an hour before the arrival of combined teams of Police Operation Burst and Nigerian Army  were able to recover the station from the agitators, while five suspects were arrested and taken to the Oyo State Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan for interrogation.

Confirming the incident, General Manager of the station, Mr. Stephen Agbaje, said Security Operatives have restored normalcy to the station and that Amuludun 99.1 FM has resumed live broadcast of programmes.

Meanwhile, security operatives are on ground to maintain peace and some of them have been apprehended.

Irrespective Of Outcome Of Election Petitions In Court, Accept It

By
The Source
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0
Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By Muhammadu Buhari

In His Farewell Address Delivered On 28th May, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari Insists He Is “Leaving Nigeria Better In 2023, Than He Found It In 2015”. Full Text Of Speech

My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria.

  1. I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment.
  1. Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
  1. This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
  1. We must, as a nation, improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
  1. Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
  1. Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
  1. I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
  1. In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
  1. As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
  1. To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
  1. You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.
  1. You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
  1. The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
  1. Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
  1. This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
  1. To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
  1. We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-Father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
  1. The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
  1. You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
  1. Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
  1. Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
  1. The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
  1. In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
  1. Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
  1. Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
  1. To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
  1. Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
  1. Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
  1. I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
  1. To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
  1. On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
  1. Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
  1. I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
  1. I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
  1. As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
  1. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.
  2. I thank you all. And may God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Last Broadcast: Buhari Says Nigeria Made A Good Choice In Tinubu

By
James Orji
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0

Less than 24 hours to his handover of power, outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari says he’s happy that Nigerians elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him.

Tinubu, a former Lagos state governor is billed to take over from Buhari on May 29 in an elaborate ceremony at Eagle Square, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared him the winner despite protests by the Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

The PDP and LP candidates have now challenged the outcome of the election at the presidential election Tribunal.

On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition by Atiku and PDP trying to stop the swearing-in of Tinunu and the vice president-elect, Kassim Sheitima over what they described as the double nomination of Shetima, a former governor of Borno state by his party.

The ruling by a five-man panel of the apex court cleared the coast for the inauguration of a new administration tomorrow.

Speaking in his last national broadcast as the nation’s leader Buhari said he’s happy that the former Lagos governor is the one taking over from him.

According to him, Tinubu is the most qualified and competent of all the candidates that contested the February 25 presidential election.

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