The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has stated that “God has helped” his administration to counter the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East region of Nigeria has been achieved.
Buhari acclaimed that the threat of terrorism was the most critical security challenge handed over to his regime but expressed satisfaction that normalcy had returned to affected states in the North-East.
The President, admitted that he had fulfilled the commitment he made to Nigerians in his May 29, 2015 inaugural address to frontally and courageously tackle Boko Haram terrorists and stabilize the country.
This is as he mentioned, nobody could blackmail him on inexplicable wealth and illicit enrichment while in office, stating that he did not have “one square-inch outside Nigeria.”
These was enclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari says nobody can blackmail him on inexplicable wealth and illicit enrichment while in office, saying ‘’I do not have one square-inch outside Nigeria.’
“Giving the speech at the State banquet, Monday, January 9th, 2023 organized in his honor in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the Buhari reiterated his vow to serve God and Nigeria until his last day in office and beyond.
“He encouraged Nigerians to remain patriotic, saying ‘as I said more than 30 years ago, we have no other country than Nigeria, we must all stay here and salvage it together.’
“Acknowledging that the most critical security challenge inherited by the administration nearly eight years ago was the potent and pervasive threat of terrorism, the President expressed delight that normalcy has returned to affected States in North-East Nigeria.
“He described that, the threat was particularly pervasive across the North-East geopolitical zone with Yobe State as one of the most hit by the terrorists.
“President Buhari commended Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State for taking advantage of the return of peace and security in the state to execute people-oriented projects.
“Describing the Governor as very competent and courageous, the President said he was lucky to have him in the saddle as the political leader in the state, supporting the federal efforts to decimate Boko Haram terrorist group.
“The President also acknowledged the cooperation of Nigeria’s neighbours in the fight against insurgency, recalling that his first visit outside the country in 2015 was to Niger and Chad, to garner support on tackling the misguided sect.
“President Buhari thanked the Governor and people of Yobe State, including Senate President Ahmed Lawan, for their warm reception during the State visit.
“In his commentary, Governor Buni expressed happiness at the President’s inauguration of landmark projects in the state, including the Yobe International Cargo Airport, Damaturu ultra-modern market, Maternal and Child Health Complex at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, the 2,600 Housing Estate in Potiskum and the Damaturu Mega School at new Bra-Bra.
“He appealed to the President to approve the takeover of the Yobe State International Cargo airport by the Federal Government and the refund of N38 billion expended by the State Government on the project.
“He added by requesting the takeover of the State University Teaching Hospital, including the Maternity and Child Health Complex.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, gave appreciation to the President for inaugurating a purpose-built, ultra-modern, and fully furnished State Command Headquarters; Police Secondary School; and Tertiary Police Hospital during the State Visit.
“Alkali gave an assurance to the President and Nigerians that the Nigeria Police (NP) are fully prepared for the upcoming 2023 general election and would remain apolitical in compliance with the presidential directive.
“‘In addition to this, Alkali stated, we have exposed our personnel to specialized election security management trainings, developed Code of Conduct Handbook to guide the Police and other national security agencies that will be involved in the exercise.
“He added that the Force has also perfected the logistics and manpower mobilization framework, and fine-tuned the Election Security Operational Action Plan in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Military, Intelligence Community, and other Sister Security Agencies.
“Alkali expressed gratitude to the President for the annual recruitment of ten thousand police Constables over a five-year period, adding that the Presidential consideration has significantly bridged the manpower gap in the Force and broadly strengthened their capacity to effectively police the electoral process.”