Expect more actions in coming months- Buhari tells Nigerians 

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that his administration would in the next few months take some pragmatic measures to improve the nation’s economy as well as raise standard of living.

The President spoke at the 8th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, on Tuesday, where he sat as the Chairman of the Colloquium themed: ‘Agriculture: Action, work, revolution’

The desire of government is to invest heavily in human capital development towards reducing high level poverty in the country, the President said adding that “In the coming months, Nigerians will see much more actions. Government will continue to invest substantially in human capital development and this is just the beginning”.

He said thought there will always be some skepticism, because some Nigerians have become disoriented and impatient enough to think that barriers are insurmountable  “but the people in this hall disagree. Anyone who claims great change is impossible can only look at the extraordinary successes that Nigerians have achieved. Despite the odds, we have incredible examples of entrepreneurs who have set up processing facilities, green house farming, commercial off-taking systems and retail chains”.

The President who noted that for faster results partnership was the way to go welcomed more companies that are willing to invest in the country.

“We can achieve more with partnerships that link up and scale our respective efforts. I am declaring that we need a new approach that challenges more state and local governments, more organizations, more companies, more development partners, more NGOs, challenges individuals — some of the young people who are here and in our nation– to step up and play a role — because government cannot and should not do this alone.  This has to be all hands on deck.”As the wheel starts turning in the direction of progress, we must stay committed knowing we can do this. We just need to bring it all together.  We can unleash the change that makes Agriculture work for our people and our nation.  We can trigger the kind of economic growth that lifts millions out of poverty.  This is the renewed commitment that we are making”

He reiterated government’s commitment that Agriculture will remain a priority for his administration. “We intend to organize an efficient market infrastructure that will make agriculture viable for investors. We are providing an enabling environment so as to ensure certainty and predictability for the private sector.
“We intend to also ensure that the market is fair and worth to transform small holder farmers from beggars to businessmen,” he said.

The President also assured that government will speed up actions that will improve food production techniques as technology also play a huge role in better seeds, better harvest, weather forecast and predictable market prices.

“Further more, we are going to keep focusing on improved nutrition for children. We know the effects of hunger and poor nutrition can last a life time. Children are thrown out of school to earn a living,” he said.

Eulogizing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, who is also the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he marked his 64th birthday at the occasion, the President noted that there were very few patriots, “alive or dead, that can match the commitment, resilience and creativity that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has over the past few decades demonstrated in organizing Nigeria’s public life for good.

“As he adds another year today, my best wishes and prayers go out to a man who deserves a lot of commendation for what he continues to stand for.” Buhari stated.

Those at event included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, wife of the celebrant, Remi Tinubu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, state governors of Zamfara – Abdulaziz Yari Osun – Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun – Ibikunle Amosun, Kebbi – Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Adamawa- Bindow,  Cross River – Ben Ayade, Bauchi – Muhammed Abubakar, Lagos – Ambode Akinwunmi, Kaduna – Nasir el-Rufai, Oyo – Abiola Ajimobi,

Also at the event were the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, Smart Adeyemi, cabinet members and other top government officials.