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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday that Nigeria is at a time of great promise and hope, stressing that the programmes and policies of his administration was making life easy for Nigerians.
In a statement issued to greet Nigerians celebrating Easter, the president said: “Our programmes and policies in the last three years have resulted in bringing down the prices of staple crops, gradual improvement of road, rail and electricity infrastructure and making Nigeria the preferred destination for investors”.
He added: “We are ready to consolidate on these gains and ensure that we improve the lot of our communities in the years ahead.
He also assured igerians on security, saying that the return of the abducted Dapchi girls should raise optimism that “all others, including the Chibok girls who are still in captivity will be safely released unconditionally to their families”.
He said: “In the meantime, I have given clear instructions to our security agencies to prioritise safety in schools in areas where the humanitarian and security situation are still dire, in addition to ensuring adequate protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”
He caution politicians and political stakeholders to shun any act that woukd mar the country’s electoral processes.
He said: “I am optimistic that with God on our side, the dark days of Nigeria’s elections being manipulated by violence and rigging by corrupt politicians and their agents are over.
“They are confined to the dustbin of history where they rightly belong.
“I remain committed to bequeathing a legacy of supremacy of the people’s will through the ballot box.”
He commended those who recognise and support his administration’s efforts “to prevent the spread of conflicts in our communities; check wanton criminality and the taking of innocent lives; unite the country; and steer the ship of state to a steady path of economic growth, job creation and development.”
Rejoicing with Christians celebrating the death and ressuction of Jesus Christ, Buhari stated that
Easter represents the triumph of good over evil; and life over death.
“It is also a time to show love, forgiveness, compassion and renewed hope in the Grace of God.”, he said.
He urged: “Let us use the opportunity of this special season to deeply reflect on how everyone of us can imbibe the profound teachings of Jesus Christ with renewed vigour.
“In so doing and by placing the joy, comfort and happiness of others above ours, we will make a statement that vices such as, hate speech, bigotry, corruption, banditry and terrorism have no place in our nation.
“We must do all it takes to love our neighbours and display increased spirit of tolerance and accommodation.
“While we enjoin law-abiding fellow compatriots to work for peace and social justice in our beloved country, let there be no doubt of our resolve to firmly resist others who may want to make cheap political capital out of current national security challenges.
“May this year’s Easter celebration bring us renewed hope and confidence as a great nation.
Muhammadu Buhari”.