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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / President Buhari At Reception For Members Of The Diplomatic Corps (407 Views)
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President Buhari At Reception For Members Of The Diplomatic Corps by Nobody: 9:20pm On Feb 18, 2016 |
Protocols:
I am very delighted to have you at this reception
organized principally, to provide a relaxed atmosphere
for an informal interaction at the early stage of the
New Year. Although the year is somehow far gone
today for me to say Happy New Year to all of you, but
it is not too late to convey my very best wishes for
your well-being, joy and peace in the rest of 2016.
2. Only last week the Chinese celebrated their New
Year with pomp and pageantry, a year dedicated to the
monkey; and come September, the Ethiopians will
celebrate their New Year to complete the cycle of New
Year celebrations in the world this year.
3. These festive occasions often offer us the
opportunity to reflect soberly on our lives and review
events that have taken place in the preceding year. For
some, each New Year propels them to make personal
resolutions, some of which may or may not be kept in
the end. For others, they see no reason to celebrate at
all because of their personal circumstances. Life can
be truly a mixed grill.
4. It is almost eight months since I assumed office. In
this time, we have witnessed resurgence in the morale
and will of the Nigerian Armed Forces to dislodge Boko
Haram from their bases in the North East. The changes
in both command structure and operational tactics
have brought about significant gains on the ground.
The Armed Forces have been given specific
instructions on rules of engagement to treat captured
terrorists humanely and to avoid civilian casualties
5. It is worthy to note that when I assumed office on
May 29, 2015, Boko Haram had full control of fourteen
(14) Local Governments Areas in the North East, but
today, the group holds no territory in Nigeria. They are
hiding in Sambisa forest and occasionally undertake
cowardly attacks on innocent citizens in soft targets.
6. This has resulted in a dramatic improvement in the
security situation in that part of the country. You are,
in fact, aware that people who were once internally
displaced from their homes for years are gradually
returning to rebuild their homes, communities and
livelihood.
7. As the security situation continues to improve, and
as more people return to their homes, government will
spare no effort to support them with robust
programmes and projects to hasten the process of
rehabilitation and resettlement. The General T.Y
Danjuma-led Committee has been saddled with the
responsibility of coordinating these efforts.
8. May I use this occasion to once again thank our
friends and partners for the invaluable support they
have and continue to render in our fight against Boko
Haram.
9. We are quite aware that the war on terror will not,
and cannot be won by military means alone. We need a
soft approach that speaks directly to the human mind.
Poverty and hunger do not only incapacitate, but they
can lead to desperation. We are also aware that
poverty and marginalization, amongst other factors, can
easily create room for indoctrination and co-option into
violent extremism.
10. Accordingly, we are paying attention to those
economic programmes that will lead to empowerment
of the people and thus provide an alternative lifestyle
of fruitful engagement rather than resort to extremist
and terrorist activities. Job creation and provision of
quality education are key areas that are already
receiving our attention.
Excellencies,
11. We are resolved to build a stable and prosperous
Nigeria, a country that is inclusive of all her diverse
peoples and a country that is at ease with itself.
Building such a country will not be possible where
corruption is pervasive. Mindful of this, it has become
necessary to wage a relentless war against the cancer
of corruption. So long as corruption holds center stage
in the affairs of Nigeria, the country will continue to
suffer incalculable harm.
12. You are witnesses to the preliminary findings that
have emerged in the past few weeks from our
investigations into corrupt practices in different sectors
of Nigeria’s Public Service. I will leave no stone
unturned in the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption. I
must however, add that in doing this, we shall operate
within the ambit of the law.
13. In a similar fight in the past, and armed with the
might of military muscle, I led a government that
required persons presumed to be corrupt to prove their
innocence. Today, as committed democrats, and in a
culture of deepening democracy, we respect the law
that presumes all persons innocent until they are
proven to be guilty.
14. Nigeria has no choice, nor can the country afford to
be an island in itself. Against this backdrop therefore,
since my assumption of office, I have demonstrated my
commitment to interact with my colleagues in Nigeria’s
neighbours and beyond. This is consistent with the
pledge that I made at my inauguration to steer the
affairs of the country in a manner that will allow us to
play the role that is expected of us.
15. It is for this reason, that the Foreign Policy vision
which we are currently pursuing is anchored on
meaningful engagement with our neighbors, the African
continent and the world at large.
16. We would continue to build strong partnerships,
strengthen regional ties and promote global solidarity.
Nigeria will remain a responsible and active member of
the international community; promoting tolerance,
accommodation, reconciliation and pacific settlement
of disputes. We will also continue to shoulder
responsibilities in peace keeping under the auspices of
the United Nations.
17. We have benefitted from the dividends of
democracy. We have enjoyed an unprecedented period
of civil rule, reaching a milestone in our last election,
which ushered not only a new government to office,
but also witnessed the peaceful transfer of power from
a ruling party to an opposition party. Without a doubt,
Nigeria’s democracy is growing and gaining in strength.
18. We are also convinced that there is no alternative
to democratic governance, adherence to the rule of
law, respect for human rights and adherence to
constitutional order. Upholding these values remains
the essential for peace, stability and development.
19. We owe it a duty not to hand down to the next
generation a world that is deeply divided and
threatened by nature. It is therefore, most
commendable that in the last quarter of 2015, the
world celebrated the adoption of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change. Today we can
celebrate these great achievements in the hope that
full implementation and delivery on the promises of
these frameworks, will lead to growth and
development.
20. I want to assure you that under my watch, Nigeria
will accord priority to the attainment of the Sustainable
Development Goals, as well as the commitments of the
Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
21. We are under no illusion that achieving these
objectives will be easy. We are however, undaunted in
our resolve to overcome. We will continue to do all we
can to make life safe for our citizens and all residents
of Nigeria. We are open for business. We invite those
who are ready to come to invest in Nigeria. We will
protect their persons as well as their investments.
22. We will take the necessary steps to overcome new
and old challenges, enhance our national unity, internal
cohesion and ultimately, give our country the image
that will be a pride to our people, our friends in Africa
and beyond.
Excellencies,
23. I would like to conclude by thanking you for making
the time to be here today. I would also like to wish you
a pleasant evening with the hope that you will continue
to work hard to strengthen the ties of friendship
between Nigeria and your respective countries and
organizations.
24. I thank you for your attention |
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