Just as Nigerians are mourning under the hardship and insecurity bedeviling Nigeria, the President, Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday pleaded with Nigerians to once again invest their trust in his administration’s commitment to restore peace, security and prosperity to all parts of the country.
President Buhari made the plea in his Christmas message to Nigerians, which was made available to State House Correspondents by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina.
The President in his message challenged all Christians, and all Nigerians at large to reinvent the values that the Christmas celebration represents towards one another, noting that the country is most in need of such virtues at the moment, having gone through a series of stressful circumstances.
Read Also: Insecurity: Your Best Not Enough, Cleric Tells Buhari
He further said that his administration would continue to work to make Nigeria safe for all residents by ensuring that the armed forces are properly and adequately equipped.
He however commended the armed forces and all security agencies for their efforts at keeping the country safe, charging them to do more toward crimes and criminals out of circulation in the country.
‘In Christendom, Christmas season represents joy, peace, hope, love, goodwill and imminent salvation. These worthy values which Jesus’ Advent symbolize, are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges like the rising spate of armed banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, economic recession, and an upsurge of COVID-19 infections.’
‘I wish to, therefore, enjoin fellow compatriots to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in this Administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restore peace, security, and prosperity to our dear country.’
‘Under my watch, the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support within available resources to the gallant members of our armed forces and security agencies as they confront threats to our citizens. While I commend them for their efforts so far, I urge them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats, especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation in varying degrees.’
‘Their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, will remain a milestone in the annals of the country.’
‘For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this Administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.’
‘I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in society.’
‘As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.’
‘I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape, he said.’
The president while commenting on how to combat the security crisis in the country, noted that the situation is not as simplistic as those proffering solutions are seeing it, but said he would ensure to follow up with bringing the multi-faceted security crisis into the barest minimum.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
