Reads riot act to troublemakersurges Shiites to embrace peaceIn his most comprehensive message to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has laid down the marker on what Nigerian should expect from his administration in 2017.In his New Year message to Nigerians,while admitting his administration made mistakes in the way it handled the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP),President Buhari vowed that all those who divert funds meant for the IDP will be punished.Recall that the Senate has asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal to resign over mismanagement of funds meant for the IDPs.In his response, President Buhari had recently ordered the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to investigate allegations of corruption leveled against the SGF and other government officials.Buhari saidSeeing 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.While welcoming Nigerians to the beginning of a New Year ,Buhari felicitated with Nigerians at a time when the country is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in the security and socio-economic situation.The president also read riot acts to troublemakers in the country warning them that the Nigerian Armed Forces is more than capable of tackling any challenge.He also enjoined Nigerians to congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of the military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.According to him,following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, the country has entered a new phase in the battle against Boko Haram.He added that ;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.He urged 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 the armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.He assured that misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.He called for 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.He remarked ;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.In a veiled reference to the killings in southern Kaduna, Buhari said some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to the country s 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 He said.President Buhari said the year 2017 provides an opportunity for Nigerians to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us sayingWe are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.He pointed out that these are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in the continued existence as a united and indivisible nation.Buhari acknowledged that Nigeria is a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development adding that we must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.On Niger Delta, he said;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.He also extended the olive branch to the shiites sect whose leader ,Mallam El- Zakzaky has been in detention since December 2015, urging them to embrace peace.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.Reeling out the scorecard of his administration so far ,he explained that ;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.President Buhari expressed optimism that the change Nigerians all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.He added;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 administrations 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, Buhari said his 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.President Buhari restated that the determination of his administration to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken.This fight according to him,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.He expressed appreciation for the public support for his administrations efforts to transform Nigeria and assured Nigerians 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, He said.
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