President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he is leaving office with Nigeria better than he met it when he became president in 2015.
The president made the declaration on Sunday during his farewell speech ahead of the handing over of power to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said with the foundation laid for the growth of the country by his government, the incoming government should be able to move faster.
His words: “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.
“I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.”
He spoke about some of the achievements of his administration, saying the electoral process put in place, for instance, would guarantee that “votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum.”
He said importantly, the process would guarantee that Nigerians could elect leaders of their choice.
He added that the Nigerian economy had become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that it remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
“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.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The president added: “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.”
He said 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.”
Buhari also spoke about the efforts of his government to ensure adequate security of lives and property.
According to him, the government had been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
He said to sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that the values defined by being one’s brothers’ keeper governed the country.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
The president expressed appreciation to Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help him in the project of moving the nation forward.
“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,” he stressed.
