Nahimat Adekoga
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration would remain committed to realizing key priorities of securing the country, fighting corruption, and salvaging the economy in spite of current challenges.
In a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina, the president, who gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving Letter of Credence of United States Ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Symington, at the State House, said his government met an unbelievable corruption both on personal and institutional levels.
He explained that target of reversing culture of corruption in the country had received support from Nigerians, with many realizing depths of damage done by some previous administrations from ongoing investigations and prosecutions.
Buhari pointed out that security situation in North East had improved significantly following support in training of military and supply of hardware after G-7 meeting in Germany in 2015.
‘‘The corruption we met at personal and institutional levels was unbelievable. Corruption was turning into a culture. After we came in, people started realizing the truth,
“When I was invited to the G-7 meeting after my inauguration on May 29, 2015, I thought I was going to be an observer at the meeting, but without prompting, I was asked to brief the leaders on the security situation in Nigeria, and I did. Since then, we have received support in training and military hardware, and I hope we have not disappointed,’’ he said.
According to Buhari, his administration was still determined to continue investigations and prosecution of corrupt persons in the country as the scourge has become a cankerworm of some sort.
‘‘Nigeria will either kill corruption or corruption will kill Nigeria in the long run.’’ he said.
The President noted that years of mishandling of the economy at a period of financial prosperity, affected the economy, making it more challenging to create employment for youths and improve livelihood of many Nigerians.
‘‘It has not been easy for another party to come in and get things done properly, especially with the new economic reality of $37 per barrel of oil, against the $100 for the period, and there was no savings, no infrastructure on ground,’’ he said.
Buhari also said timely intervention of the United States, with a visit of Secretary of State, John Kerry to Nigeria, before 2015 elections helped in ensuring peace and stability in the country.
In his remarks, the U.S ambassador said interest in the well-being of Nigeria was of mutual benefit.
‘‘We do it not only for Nigeria, but for ourselves. We did it because it was right for us and right for our people,’’ he said.
The envoy said he would work hard to further strengthen relationship between his country and Nigeria, assuring that President-elect, Donald Trump would also be interested in the wellbeing of Nigeria.
President Buhari also received Letter of Credence from Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco, Moha Ouali Tagma, assuring him of Nigeria’s willingness to improve bilateral relations between the countries.
