– President Muhammadu Buhari lauds Nigeria economy
– Buhari paid homage to pre-independence leaders and former presidents
– Tinibu urges Nigerian government to discourage the teaching of foreign history in schools
President Muhammadu Buhari, on February 18 lauded Nigeria’s economy, saying it is the fastest growing in Africa.
Buhari made this known while delivering a key note address at the public presentation of a book, ‘Nigerian Century’ written by Dare Babarinsa at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
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President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria’s economy is the fastest growing in Africa
The president, who was represented by former Ekiti state governor and deputy chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South, Segun Oni, said his administration cannot afford to fail the enormous expectations of Nigerians, who expect it to lead the country to greater heights.
President Buhari noted that despite that fact that Nigeria was born in adversity, raised to adolescence in the turbulence of the colonial period and its majesty was forged in the furnace of hard experience of the post-colonial era, the country had been able to overcome its challenges to emerge as the biggest economy in Africa.
“Today, our country has the fastest growing economy in Africa and one of the fastest in the world. Our dominance is not so much because of our wealth, but because of the tremendous energy and resourcefulness of our people.
“How many countries of the world can parade the likes of Professor Wole Soyinka, Jay Jay Okocha, King Sunny Ade and Alhaji Aliko Dangote literally under the same roof?”
President Buhari expressed hope that Nigeria will be greater with the proper harnessing of abundant human and natural resources in the country.
The President noted that only a Nigeria could have given meaning to the indomitable spirit, boundless energy, collective creativity, cultural diversity and unique sense of enterprise of Nigerians.
“Yes, our land is blessed by providence with riches in oil and gas, iron ore, gold, limestone and almost all the minerals of this earth. Our soil can grow almost any crop and our vegetation supports animal life as varied as creation can manifest. Our rivers and coast lines are rich with fishes and various kinds of life. Yet, despite these bounties from nature, I have no doubt that the greatest blessings of Nigeria are the people of Nigeria, the wonderful people that give expression to the grandeur and majesty of our beloved country,” he said.
The president paid tribute to the country’s pre-independence leaders and extoled former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan for taking care of the nation’s democracy for the past 16 years.
“We are in debt to the founding fathers of our Republic, Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and many other heroes of the anti-colonial struggle.
“They hoisted for us the banner of freedom that we are still enjoying till today. As President, the experience of each of my predecessors as Chief of State has provided a guiding map for us in moments of hard decisions and when we have to embrace the loneliness of power.
“The 12 men: Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Muhammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, each had the unique experience of modulating and moderating the sometimes turbulent temper of our great country,” Buhari said.
Speaking also, Obasanjo, who was represented by prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, charged Nigerians to contribute to the greatness of the country, saying: “As long as Nigeria has life, we should give it hope; we should all resolve to heal Nigeria.”
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In his remarks, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the APC and former Lagos state governor, who was the chief presenter of the book urged Nigerian government to discourage the teaching of foreign history in Nigerian schools; instead Nigerian children should be taught the history of our country.
Tinubu said the book, which was reviewed by publisher of Ovation, Dele Momodu was a compendium bigger than 419 and Boko Haram.
Leadership reports that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, defended his party. All Progressives Congress over the dwindling economy of the country, when playing host to unemployed aeronautic engineers and pilots from his native Bauchi state, on February 16,
But, Professor Wole Soyinka, who saw the economic crisis from a more lucid and neutral minded angle on February 18 called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an emergency economic conference to enable experts proffer solutions to the lingering crisis bedeviling the country.
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