My dear Compatriots, I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a
New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.
I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a
new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic
situation.
I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and
gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their
remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.
Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by
troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our
battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram. When we see our beloved
21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for
Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity
will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-
wishers.
I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange
figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest
security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of
fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.
Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted
authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law. The
support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them
successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to
effectively secure our country. Seeing the joyful return of thousands
of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State,
following the reopening of Maiduguri/ Gubio/Damasak road in Northern
Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of
IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.
The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the
resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of
terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged
Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their
contributions towards this goal. Government is aware of some mistakes
and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking
measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits.
In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence
and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their
constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country;
and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges.
The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally
addressed.
These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the
unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness.
Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid
provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is
painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges. I want to
remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb
that says "it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch". Nigeria
is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers. I have interacted
with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they
have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and
stability of Nigeria. The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to
build on those aspects of our national life that unite us.
We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient
people, even in the face of difficulties. These are the attributes
that
define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not
believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation.
We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our
multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to
support and tolerate one another and live together as one. We will
continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again,
call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent
disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating
table.
As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we
urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the
country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the
same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and
according to the rule of law. On our part, in the past 20 months since
our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn
around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform
agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the
nation.
I am encouraged that we are getting things right. The agricultural
revolution has begun. Farmers in different parts of the country are
experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic
partnership towards attaining self- sufficiency in rice, and the era
of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually
waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting
this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be
sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017. As
you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is
anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local
businesses. In pursuit of this administration's philosophy, we will
continue to appeal that we buy "Made In Nigeria" goods. Like I said
during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers,
small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses,
dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will
remain the true drivers of our economic future.
They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin
our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. On job creation, this
administration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a
vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time
creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves. Our
determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken.
This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and
due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a
collective
undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in
spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in
the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to
allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream. I
thank you for the public support for our administration's efforts to
transform Nigeria.
I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease
when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I
urge you to continue to support this administration in its effort to
transform Nigeria for the good of all. I wish you a Happy New Year,
2017.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
