We’ve built a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria, says Buhari

Barely 12 days to the exit date of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has boasted that his administration built a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

The President said he had made “steady progress” since he took office in 2015.

Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, said this at the opening of the 2023 induction for new and re-elected governors, organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Monday in Abuja.

He said: “The road has been bumpy due to a challenging fiscal climate. Despite the difficult fiscal conditions, we remained committed to our promises. I am proud to state as we leave office in about two weeks that we have built a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

“We could not have done everything, but we focused on a number of areas: Infrastructure, Agriculture and strengthening our Armed Forces. These key areas were strategically targeted.

“Our focus on Infrastructure was to improve access to markets, improved linkages and to reduce overall supply chain costs.

“This singular commitment to infrastructure development for roads, rails, airports, ports and affordable housing were designed to create better means of livelihood for our people and facilitate access to jobs.

“I am happy that we are succeeding in investing the nation’s wealth in every State of the federation and a clear path for sustainable development has been set.”

Buhari, therefore, called on governors to deliver on their campaign promises now that elections are over, adding that the outcome of the 2023 general election has shown that if a leader doesn’t perform, the people will vote him out.

He also cautioned politicians to brace up and work for the people as they take their oath of office on May 29, noting that citizens have now realized that the power lies with them.

“In February and March 2023, Nigeria consolidated and re-enforced its democratic process with the general election, which saw the election of a new President and about 18 newly elected Governors.

“I am happy to note that democracy is alive, vibrant and thriving in Nigeria. With the elections now over, it is time for all of us to deliver the promises we made during the campaigns.

“One interesting development that we all saw from the last election is that the electorate is maturing, and people are increasingly finding their voices.

“Any public officer who fails to either meet up with the expectations of the people or deliver on his campaign promises would be voted out in the next election. That is what democracy is about. Deliver or get shown the door out,” Buhari said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, advised the new governors-elect and re-elected governors to move away from their reliance on the export of raw materials like oil, gold, and agricultural products in order for the Nigerian economy to truly flourish and experience sustained growth.

He also advised that in order to achieve industrialization for the purpose of reducing poverty and creating jobs, the national industrialization policy must be re-articulated, the power supply must be improved, and human capital must be developed.

“As some of us are exiting as helmsmen of our respective states, the new and incoming governors are reminded of the task ahead.

“We have made giant strides in our various states within limited resources at our disposal in the areas of infrastructural development and provision of social services.

“We faced the most difficulty times in economic management of our states during the COVID 19 pandemic. We exited recessions and the economy is now on the pathway for sustainable growth. You now face the important task of putting viable strategies.

“Unemployment, poverty, and insecurity are difficult tasks incoming administration are expected to face in their respective states.

“Building strong and viable institutions in the polity will help in tackling unemployment, reducing poverty, and ensuring the provision of security of lives and property. This is a worthy legacy to be bequeathed to our children and generations to come,” the president said.

Also speaking, Africa’s leading philanthropist and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu,
urged the newly elected and returning governors to prioritise youth participation in governance.

According to Elumelu, it is the most effective way to make a difference and spur socioeconomic improvement in both their specific states and Nigeria as a whole.

He called on political leaders to create more private sector friendly policies to increase wealth creation and encourage entrepreneurship.

He said: “As leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in our society, we must recognize the potential of entrepreneurship to promote youth engagement and wealth creation in Nigeria.

“We must invest in programs that support and encourage young people to pursue their dreams and develop the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs.

“Let us work together to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive in Nigeria, and to empower our youth to become active participants in the development of our country.”