President Muhammadu Buhari has charged his ministers and appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience positive change in their lives this new year 2016 .
The President who stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians, said he was aware of the hardships faced by Nigerians in the last few months.
“Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. I am aware of the lengthy
queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange. These challenges are only temporary, we are working to make things better” , President Buhari said.
“I want to be a leader who restores the people’s hope in those elected to serve them. I want to be a leader who initiates positive and enduring change. I am still totally committed to being that kind of leader.
“Unforeseen circumstances and other distractions notwithstanding, I shall still do my best to keep every promise I made to Nigerians during my election campaign”, he added.
Urging Nigerians to be patient, the President said for past the seven months since assuming office on May 29, 2015, his administration has focused on laying the right foundation for the change they voted for and “ Nigerians will in due course begin to enjoy the fruits of all ongoing work. The effective and efficient implementation of our 2016 budget proposals will address many of the socio-economic issues that are of current concern to our people.
“One area in which Nigerians, especially those in the north-east have already begun to experience major change is in the war on terror.”
He commended the Armed Forces for significantly curtailing the insurgency which has ravaged the north-east of Nigeria over the past few years.
“However, there is still a lot of work to be done in the area of security” he said, adding that “Our Armed Forces will maintain, consolidate and build on their successes in the war against Boko Haram
and violent extremism”.
This government, he said would not consider the matter concluded until the terrorists have been completely routed and normalcy is restored to
all parts of the country that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency”.
The President said the crackdown on corruption would continue to be vigorously undertaken. He urged the courts to support government’s efforts and help in the recovery of stolen funds by speedily
concluding trials and showing that impunity no longer has a place in our country.
As part of plans for 2016, he said the country must reduce its reliance on oil. “We must diversify our economy. And we must do all we can to promote job creation.
“Our challenges are many but our determination to succeed is strong and unshaken. So too is our confidence in God.
