By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari believes that Boko Haram terrorists who have crippled the economy and brought so much agony and pains and tears to North Eastern States was designed not only to destabilize Nigeria but to destroy it.

Boko Haram group and its attendant ideology — which abhors Western education — officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is an Islamic terrorist organisation that has troubled Nigeria’s North with targeted bombings and offensives since 2009.

But an obviously happy President Buhari said the Nigerian Armed Forces have degraded the sect significantly since 2015 when he came into office.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both States, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation has improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said when he received Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.

In a Statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, titled ‘Count on us to further improve security, reposition economy before leaving office, President Buhari assured

that the government is now focused on rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education in the North-east.

He also promised that the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, and more attention will be given to the economy, before handing over on May 29, 2023.

“I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made. The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said.

Buhari told the Catholic Bishops that the Government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks, while emphasising that terrorists had no control over any space in Nigeria.

“Some people have acknowledged the difference,’’ he added.

As regards the economy, the President said creditors had full confidence in Nigeria, with the capacity to utilize resources and repay loans before the approvals were granted.

“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans,’’ he stated.

He lamented that the destruction of oil facilities slowed revenue generation, and the Government would be harder on saboteurs.

President Buhari said that some of the challenges faced in the past, which include coups and counter-coups, and civil war, had prepared Nigeria for survival.

“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify.

“We thank God that Nigeria is still one. We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive.”

By Ayodele Oni

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has charged President Mohammadu Buhari to rid the country of criminals before handing over to his successor in May.

The Bishops also appealed to Buhari to bring an end to the issue of insecurity plaguing the country.

The Bishops made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the President on Wednesday, at the Aso Villa, Abuja.

According to them, as Christian religious leaders, it is both their right and duty to contribute to the political life of the nation not only by praying for all rulers, but also by offering them good advice in the name of God.

The  President, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji pointed out that the president can still do a lot to turn things around before May 2023 when his tenure in office will be over.

“A lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023.

“We cannot be unconcerned about the way our nation is managed by those whom God has allowed to be in charge of our nation.

“We have seen some signs that government is not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all regions, creeds and ethnic groups.

“Our Church personnel have been frequent victims in terms of kidnapping or outright murder.

“The Owo – Ondo State Catholic Church massacre on Pentecost Sunday, June 5th, 2022, is still very fresh in our hearts.

“In your capacity as our Commander-in-Chief, we urge you to make sure that our nation is effectively rid of these murderous criminals.

“We assure you of our prayers that the Almighty and Merciful God will bless you with what it takes to achieve this urgent objective.”

The group which commended the President for the efforts put into ensuring real improvement in the electoral system and processes of the country, however expressed concern on the Nation’s economy.

The Bishops charged the President to ensure the 2023 polls are free, fair and credible so as to bring to power the President who can move Nigeria forward.

“Our nation’s economy has been put under serious stress by both internal and external negative forces, which has had serious adverse effect on the lives and livelihood of the average Nigerian.

“This has been further worsened by the consequences of the growing foreign debt burden, which is even mortgaging our future and that of generations after us.

“With better political and economic management, Nigerians have both the resourcefulness and spirit of hard work to turn things around.

“In particular, the many loopholes and leakages of endemic corruption still need to be sincerely and adequately addressed, if our economy is to recover.

“We commend and congratulate you for the efforts government has put into ensuring real improvement in our electoral system and processes, especially your signing into law the electoral bill.

“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

“It is the hope of most Nigerians that the forthcoming 2023 elections will be a watershed in the political history of Nigeria. Let our hopes not be dashed.”

By Ayodele Oni

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, on Wednesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at State House  Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari shook hands with Bishop Kukah, who visited among Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

Recall Kukah had, in his 2022 Christmas homily, slammed Buhari, saying despite his lofty promises, the President would be leaving office with Nigerians “far more vulnerable”

Speaking on the Catholic Bishop’s visit, Adesina disclosed that when Kukah came into the Council Chamber, venue of the visit, he pulled him, and started laughing.

“We laughed heartily. After it all, the Bishop invited me for a personal picture with him. Bishop Kukah was cooking peace this time, and how refreshing it was.

“The Bishop had given a homily at Christmas that was unduly critical of the President, and which was filled with inexactitudes. I had responded via an article entitled; Kukah, Don’t Cook Me Nonsense.

“When the Bishop came into the Council Chamber, venue of the visit, he pulled me, and started laughing, asking whether we should be fighting or greeting each other. We laughed heartily.

“During group photographs, the President, never hold malice against anyone, shook hands with the Bishop, describing him as “most vigorous fighter.

“After it all, the Bishop invited me for a personal picture with him. Bishop Kukah was cooking peace this time, and how refreshing it was.”