- President Buhari has sent Christmas greetings to Nigerians
- In his Christmas message, Buhari noted that 2018 is a year of mixed blessings for Nigeria
- The president said that on the positive side, Nigeria’s economy is improving, agricultural development is improving, etc.
- The Katsina-born leader, however, lamented that on the negative side, the country recorded many unnecessary deaths
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, December 24, sent warm greetings to Nigerians, particularly Christians, as they celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, today, Tuesday, December 25.
“I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ,” he wrote.
The Punch reports that the president, however, acknowledged that 2018 was a year of mixed blessings. While he joyously stated that Nigeria “has made significant progress since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan”, he also lamented that the country witnessed “so many unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should complement and support one another”.
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The statement in part: “In 2018, Nigerians have had mixed blessings, typical of human beings. On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
“Agricultural revolution has seen a vastly improved local production to the detriment of importation, while we have achieved surplus in our trade balance. Similarly, infrastructural deficit has been greatly reduced with significant improvements in roads, railways, aviation and power.
“In addition, we have not relented in the fight against corruption while the business environment has been improved through institutional reforms.
“On the downside, we have seen so many unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should complement and support one another.”
President Buhari added that many other lives were lost to floods, unfortunate fire disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders’ clashes and insurgency.
He stated: “But, we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and re-commit ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.”
In the spirit of Christmas, the president urged Nigerians to remember those who could not afford food by providing for their needs and pray for them.
He made a similar call to remember the Armed Forces and others facing grave situations to keep the country one.
He said: “Our brave Armed Forces and other security men and women who make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe, the aged, the sick, physically challenged persons, all deserve our goodwill in this season of love and sharing.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari condemned the killing in Birnin Magaji community in Tsafe Local Government Area and Magami community in Faru District of Maradun local government area of Zamfara state.
In a statement by Garba Shehu who is the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity on Monday, December 24, Buhari described the killing as horrendous.
The president authorised an assessment trip to Zamfara and Sokoto states by the chief of air staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Baba Sadiq.
He also reportedly considered a military operation in order to put an end to the violence.
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Source: Legit.ng
