The year 2017 will go down as one of the toughest years Nigerians have experienced President Muhammadu Buhari admitted on Monday.
But the President while also saying that he feels the pains inflicted on Nigerians by the current economic situation, expressed hopes that 2018 will usher better life for all Nigerians.
The President stated this while receiving Christmas homage from residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led by the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello.
“It has been a tough year for Nigeria and I hope next year will be a much more prosperous one but those listening to the press are the majority of us, the rainy season was very good and some states have got very good information from home, I never knew that the people from Kano who are more resourceful used to go to my area and hire farms, this year nobody hired farm, and nobody regretted it.
The President who also spoke on his health reiterated that he had never been this sick, adding that his recovery has been ” miraculous”, even as attributed his recovery to his strict obedience to his doctor’s advice to eat well and sleep more often.
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He said, “I am very grateful for taking time out on a very important day to come out and spend it with us, It has been a tumultuous year, I am thinking I am 75, I thought I was 74, but I was told I was 75, I have never been so sick, even the 30months civil war I was stumbling under farm of yams or cassava but this sickness I don’t know but I came out better because all those who saw me before and when I came back said I look much better.
“But I have explained it to the public that as a General I used to give orders now I take orders the doctors told me to feed my stomach and sleep for longer hours that is why I am looking much better.
Speaking further on the tough economic situation, the President said the country’s fortune was greatly improved by the good rainfall that helped farmers to produce good quality outputs.
“Again the second one from the Governor of Sokoto State said all the people that really used to go to Mecca are farmers but he didn’t tell me if they took additional wives. But I am very pleased people have gone back to the land with very good harvests and taking their priorities and the good thing about farming is if you don’t put your hope on neighbour hope on the government, once you pay your debt nobody ask you what you do with the balance and nobody ask for interest this is one good thing about farming.
“But other things I think the burden will be on my neck, I thank you very much for coming especially the religious leaders, I am very pleased you are doing your best from the intelligence I am getting to make sure that people live as good neighbours and good Nigerians”.
Earlier the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello revealed how the administration averted a crisis that would have resulted in a bleak Christmas for the FCT.
He said some youths in the Bwari Area Council, a suburb in the FCT clashed in the course of celebrating the yuletide.
Bello said it took the timely intervention of security operatives in the FCT to put the situation under control, adding that such was the leadership feature which the Buhari administration has been providing in Nigeria in general.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) FCT Chapter, Jonah Samson said it was joyous that Buhari was celebrating the Christmas festivities with Christians.
According to the CAN representative, the Christian community were not oblivious of the fact that the Buhari administration has brought about reduction in corruption, such that the international community now see Nigerians in a better light.
He said, “Christmas is a season of joy and celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ but we are here to appreciate your leadership style, especially in fighting corruption and impunity which was seen as a hallmark of Nigeria.
“All these have changed under the way and manner the Buhari administration has strengthened the fight against corruption”.
The delegation who paid homage to the President were drawn from the National Assembly, represented by Senator Philip Aduda, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, some members of the Federal Executive Council, FCT judiciary, Council Chiefs, Council Chairmen in FCT including some political leaders in the FCT.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
