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| President Muhammadu Buhari |
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will seek the
support of Europe, America and Nigeria’s neighbours in tackling the
unemployment and security problems confronting the country.
Buhari gave the indication on Friday in his remarks at the
inauguration Gala Night held at the Banquet hall of the Presidential Villa.
He said that his administration would focus on agriculture
and mining to engage the unemployed youths who form more than 60 per cent of
the population.
``I ask Nigerians to please bear with us; a lot of damage
has been done,’’ he said.
He said that he had lost elections in the past three times
and gone to the tribunal with the help of Nigerians, but that he was happy that
the will of Nigerians made his victory possible this time around.
He said that Nigeria, being a populous country, if things
went wrong in the country, they would go wrong in Africa because the continent
could not manage any refugee crisis from Nigeria.
He said that when he consulted the foreign partners and
confronted them with the refugee scenario, it pricked their consciences and
they assisted with technology to enable a successful vote count in the last
elections.
Buhari insisted that previous election results were written
in private homes and announced on the radio and that getting the courts to
reverse them was difficult.
He said that Nigeria’s friends in Europe and U.S. had spoken
to him personally and had identified security as the major challenge facing the
country.
``Nigeria has to be well secured and efficiently managed;
this is what the APC is all about.
``This was why the legacy parties made the sacrifice of
jettisoning their personal ambitions, tried to come together and took the bull
by the horn and therefore brought it down and slaughtered it literally.’’
He said the party in power had realised its problems and
made the sacrifice.
Buhari said: ``Nigerians pray a lot; we need to even pray
the more for luck so that expectations our people have, especially the youths
would be met.''
He said the unemployment level was the ``keg of gunpowder we
are sitting on’’ and the administration had resolved to secure Nigeria as soon
as possible.
He thanked Nigeria’s neighbours for helping the country to
fight insurgency.
He added that his administration would articulate the
nation’s requirements after studying the handover notes from the past
administration then consult the immediate neighbours, Europe and U.S. for
possible assistance.
In his remark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
described the inauguration of Buhari as historic for the nation and indeed
Africa.
He said the transition from one party to another was a big
achievement for the country.
``Democracy is the winner and Nigeria is the winner.
``I congratulate all those who made the election possible. I
also congratulate former president Goodluck Jonathan for deepening democracy,’’
he said.
He said the path of honour Jonathan took would not be
forgotten and added that the new administration would need time to take stock
and take decisions that would push the nation forward.
He urged the new president to recognise the diversity of the
country and accommodate all since the nation’s diversity remained its strength.
APC chieftain, Sen. Bola Tinubu, said that a new era had
dawned in Nigeria.
He said that a commitment to build a new Nigeria had been
consecrated adding that`` Buhari is principled, passionate and determined to
develop the country.’’
He said the time was ripe for Nigeria to maintain its lead
in Africa and the African renaissance must begin with the new President.
``The Challenge is yours. We that are looking up to you will
continue to do so with great commitment and perseverance.
`Nigeria must lead,’’ Tinubu added.
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