President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the nation to patronise locally made good as a measure to end the recession which has embroiled the nation.
In his New Year message which was available to BusinessDay, the president said “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.”
In his message, the president expressed optimism that his administration is getting things right and that the promise of change which he canvassed during the period of electioneering will be more evident in 2017, “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”
On the state of security in the country, President Buhari expressed satisfaction with the achievement of the Nigerian military especially in the Sambisa forest. “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, the President said.
“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.
President Buhari promised that the success which the country has seen against Boko Haram will be replicated in other parts of the country where ethno-linguistic crisis have been recorded over the years.
“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, the President said.
