President Buhari hosted members of the Diplomatic Corps in Statehouse,
Abuja on Thursday, February 18. See more photos and read the Statement by the President at the
reception after the cut...
"I am very delighted to have you at
this reception organized principally, to provide a relaxed atmosphere
for an informal interaction at the early stage of the New Year. Although
the year is somehow far gone today for me to say Happy New Year to all
of you, but it is not too late to convey my very best wishes for your
well-being, joy and peace in the rest of 2016.
2. Only last week
the Chinese celebrated their New Year with pomp and pageantry, a year
dedicated to the monkey; and come September, the Ethiopians will
celebrate their New Year to complete the cycle of New Year celebrations
in the world this year.
3. These festive occasions often offer
us the opportunity to reflect soberly on our lives and review events
that have taken place in the preceding year. For some, each New Year
propels them to make personal resolutions, some of which may or may not
be kept in the end. For others, they see no reason to celebrate at all
because of their personal circumstances. Life can be truly a mixed
grill.
4. It is almost eight months since I assumed office. In
this time, we have witnessed resurgence in the morale and will of the
Nigerian Armed Forces to dislodge Boko Haram from their bases in the
North East. The changes in both command structure and operational
tactics have brought about significant gains on the ground. The Armed
Forces have been given specific instructions on rules of engagement to
treat captured terrorists humanely and to avoid civilian casualties
5. It is worthy to note that when I assumed office on May 29, 2015,
Boko Haram had full control of fourteen (14) Local Governments Areas in
the North East, but today, the group holds no territory in Nigeria. They
are hiding in Sambisa forest and occasionally undertake cowardly
attacks on innocent citizens in soft targets.
6. This has
resulted in a dramatic improvement in the security situation in that
part of the country. You are, in fact, aware that people who were once
internally displaced from their homes for years are gradually returning
to rebuild their homes, communities and livelihood.
7. As the
security situation continues to improve, and as more people return to
their homes, government will spare no effort to support them with robust
programmes and projects to hasten the process of rehabilitation and
resettlement. The General T.Y Danjuma-led Committee has been saddled
with the responsibility of coordinating these efforts.
8. May I
use this occasion to once again thank our friends and partners for the
invaluable support they have and continue to render in our fight against
Boko Haram.
9. We are quite aware that the war on terror will
not, and cannot be won by military means alone. We need a soft approach
that speaks directly to the human mind. Poverty and hunger do not only
incapacitate, but they can lead to desperation. We are also aware that
poverty and marginalization, amongst other factors, can easily create
room for indoctrination and co-option into violent extremism.
10.
Accordingly, we are paying attention to those economic programmes that
will lead to empowerment of the people and thus provide an alternative
lifestyle of fruitful engagement rather than resort to extremist and
terrorist activities. Job creation and provision of quality education
are key areas that are already receiving our attention.
Excellencies,
11. We are resolved to build a stable and prosperous Nigeria, a country
that is inclusive of all her diverse peoples and a country that is at
ease with itself. Building such a country will not be possible where
corruption is pervasive. Mindful of this, it has become necessary to
wage a relentless war against the cancer of corruption. So long as
corruption holds center stage in the affairs of Nigeria, the country
will continue to suffer incalculable harm.
12. You are witnesses
to the preliminary findings that have emerged in the past few weeks
from our investigations into corrupt practices in different sectors of
Nigeria’s Public Service. I will leave no stone unturned in the efforts
to rid Nigeria of corruption. I must however, add that in doing this,
we shall operate within the ambit of the law.
13. In a similar
fight in the past, and armed with the might of military muscle, I led a
government that required persons presumed to be corrupt to prove their
innocence. Today, as committed democrats, and in a culture of deepening
democracy, we respect the law that presumes all persons innocent until
they are proven to be guilty.
14. Nigeria has no choice, nor can
the country afford to be an island in itself. Against this backdrop
therefore, since my assumption of office, I have demonstrated my
commitment to interact with my colleagues in Nigeria’s neighbours and
beyond. This is consistent with the pledge that I made at my
inauguration to steer the affairs of the country in a manner that will
allow us to play the role that is expected of us.
15. It is for
this reason, that the Foreign Policy vision which we are currently
pursuing is anchored on meaningful engagement with our neighbors, the
African continent and the world at large.
16. We would continue
to build strong partnerships, strengthen regional ties and promote
global solidarity. Nigeria will remain a responsible and active member
of the international community; promoting tolerance, accommodation,
reconciliation and pacific settlement of disputes. We will also continue
to shoulder responsibilities in peace keeping under the auspices of the
United Nations.
17. We have benefitted from the dividends of
democracy. We have enjoyed an unprecedented period of civil rule,
reaching a milestone in our last election, which ushered not only a new
government to office, but also witnessed the peaceful transfer of power
from a ruling party to an opposition party. Without a doubt, Nigeria’s
democracy is growing and gaining in strength.
18. We are also
convinced that there is no alternative to democratic governance,
adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and adherence to
constitutional order. Upholding these values remains the essential for
peace, stability and development.
19. We owe it a duty not to
hand down to the next generation a world that is deeply divided and
threatened by nature. It is therefore, most commendable that in the last
quarter of 2015, the world celebrated the adoption of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Paris Agreement on Climate
Change. Today we can celebrate these great achievements in the hope that
full implementation and delivery on the promises of these frameworks,
will lead to growth and development.
20. I want to assure you
that under my watch, Nigeria will accord priority to the attainment of
the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the commitments of the
Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
21. We are under no illusion
that achieving these objectives will be easy. We are however, undaunted
in our resolve to overcome. We will continue to do all we can to make
life safe for our citizens and all residents of Nigeria. We are open for
business. We invite those who are ready to come to invest in Nigeria.
We will protect their persons as well as their investments.
22.
We will take the necessary steps to overcome new and old challenges,
enhance our national unity, internal cohesion and ultimately, give our
country the image that will be a pride to our people, our friends in
Africa and beyond.
Excellencies,
23. I would like to
conclude by thanking you for making the time to be here today. I would
also like to wish you a pleasant evening with the hope that you will
continue to work hard to strengthen the ties of friendship between
Nigeria and your respective countries and organizations.
24. I thank you for your attention
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