President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his government will devote Year 2023 to making strong, the delivery of key strategic priorities of his administration.
The priorities, he said, were security, economy and anti-corruption.
The president made the declaration in his New Year message just as he called on Nigerians to look up with hope to the new year as a year to move forward as a nation towards unity, progress and prosperity.
President Buhari said in the new year, his government would intensify the battle against internal and external terrorism and other criminal activities.
He said in the area of economy, the government would improve the growth through national economic diversification.
He added that his administration would also be more committed to fighting the war against corruption, building on its achievements so far.
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His words: “Some of the key priority areas we would direct our attention and strengths to include:
“a. Focus on SECURITY; we will continue to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against our communities across the Nation. We will also focus on ensuring that free and fair elections would be held come February 2023. Our security forces are working in partnership to ensure the wins we have got in war against insurgency, banditry, secession and other crimes are sustained and more wins acquired.
“b. For the ECONOMY; our focus would be on maintaining and building economic growth through the national economic diversification agenda that supports the goal of national food self-sufficiency and growth in non-oil sources. The ongoing infrastructure revolution by our administration will see us deliver the key projects across the Nation in power, rail, roads, ports and technology.
“c. ANTI-CORRUPTION: On the anti-corruption drive of our administration, we have created new records in this fight, growing from 117 convictions in 2017 to 3,615 convictions as at December 2022. We as a government are committed to ridding our nation of all forms of corruption, through the collaboration with all the arms of Government to effectively prosecute this fight.”
While rejoicing with Nigerians, the president said he was mindful of the various opinions and interpretations of the executive legacies.
“I welcome and accept both the accolades and criticisms in equal measure secure in the conviction that I did my best to serve our dear country Nigeria and I pray that the next President will also pick up the baton and continue the race to make Nigeria one of the leading countries of the world by the end of this century,” he said.
“Long Live the Nigerian spirit of oneness, togetherness, and unity. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A Happy and prosperous New year,” the president added.
