President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday boasted about his medical fitness to run the affairs of the country, citing his visits to the 36 states of the country during the campaigns as a proof.
This is just as the President reiterated that Nigerians should expect tough times during this final lap of his administration.
Buhari said “ My visit to the 36 states and Abuja, was firstly, a proof to the other side that I’m fit. I tried to cover two states per day and secondly, not to make anybody feel that any state had been left out.
“So, I thank God that He gave me the strength and health to see through my plan and I think it is appreciated.
The President while reacting to congratulatory messages from his cabinet Ministers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of the celebration of his victory in the just concluded Presidential election, said “My last lap of four years , I think it is going to be tough because people are being forgetful.
“That was why wherever I went, I reminded them of the campaign promise of our party, particularly security, as I kept on saying that you have to secure the country well and institutions. If you don’t secure the country, you can’t achieve anything no matter how many programmes you put in place.
Speaking on the economy, Buhari lamented that the problem of unemployment in the country, adding that more than 60 per cent of the youths need to be kept busy.
“I realised that God heard our prayers. It had been two good rainy seasons and we had the foresight to get the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Central Bank to try and give soft loans to farmers so that everybody that is educated and looking for white collar jobs and cannot get it, can go back to the land. We are lucky the rainy season had been good.
“ I think we are also lucky that through the governors in some states like Lagos, Ogun, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, in particular, we don’t import rice but we have savings from rice in terms of foreign exchange which we put in the budget and use for infrastructure.
The President who observed that the oil sector is becoming very difficult to predict, said “It is becoming unpredictable and depending on it makes us materially insecure but thank goodness, agriculture has come to save it and people are appreciating it.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha, who spoke on behalf of the Ministers, described the President’s re-election victory as “ well deserved”
“Your Excellency, the Change you promised four (4) years ago to put the Nigerian economy on a sustainable development path; restore security of lives and property; and to fight cnrruptinn has laid the firm foundation for growth. Your commitment, dedication and purposeful leadership has indeed become the springboard that has taken us to the Next Level.
Mustapha expressed the confidence that the re-election will deepen the on-going reforms aimed at strengthening its capacity for the delivery of good governance.
“For the records, we recall your reform achievements signposted by the introduction of the Treasury Smgle Account [TSA], Bank Verification Number (BVN), Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), the Open
“Government Partnership [0GP], the whistle blower policy, the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan [FCSSIP] 2017-2020, your commitment to the implementation of the Minimum Wage as well as to the welfare of the Nigerian
He assured that “ Public Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria totally aligns itself with millions of Nigerians that have reelected you and members rededicate themselves to the delivery of quality service for the benefit of Nigerians. We pledge our loyalty and support to government and assure you that we shall facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable development of our nation.
