President Buhari has penned a New Year letter to the Nigerian people as the world welcomes a new decade. In the letter, the Nigerian leader expressed hope and optimism for the 2020s, referring to it as the “Nigerian Decade of prosperity and promise for Nigeria and for Africa”.
Buhari commended the commitment shown by the millions who participated in the peaceful February elections and assured his determination to strengthen the electoral process not only in Nigeria but also across the region. He stated that as a result of his impending standing down in 2023 and unavailability for future elections, he is focused on enhancing the security of the nation and the welfare of its citizens.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the security forces in combating violent extremists, cultists, and organized criminal networks, Buhari expressed confidence in winning the war and emphasized the importance of reconstructing the lives, communities, and markets affected. He assured that the government will continue working with state governors, neighboring states, and international partners to address the root causes of violent extremism.
Buhari also touched on the country’s economic prospects, highlighting the advancements in agriculture and the government’s efforts to access inputs on favorable terms to accelerate the farming transformation. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure investments and strategic projects aimed at enhancing business operations and economic growth.
The President outlined plans to improve the reliability and availability of electricity across the country, including a new deal with Siemens to invest in new capacity for generation, transmission, and distribution. He also shared the intention to present a radical reform program for the oil and gas sector and emphasized the significance of technology in driving opportunities for the country’s young and vibrant population.
Buhari reaffirmed his commitment to implementing reforms in education, healthcare, and water sanitation, and assured of ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and create an enabling environment for enterprise and hard work to thrive in Nigeria. Speaking on the country’s policy achievements, he urged investors to look forward with confidence while assuring unwavering commitment to pressing partners abroad to combat corruption.
In conclusion, Buhari expressed gratitude to the Nigerian people for their support and encouraged them to be tolerant, law-abiding, and peace-loving as the nation enters a new decade filled with promise and prosperity. Additionally, he highlighted various projects expected to be implemented in 2020, including road and housing estate completion, airport commissioning, and the launch of agricultural and power sector initiatives.