Renew Your Faith In This Govt To Make A Lasting Difference, Buhari Tells Nigerians At Christmas

President Muhammadu Buhari wants Nigerians to use the
season of goodwill and joy to renew their faith in the ability of
the present administration to make a lasting difference in their
lives.

He made the remark on Thursday in his message of the nation on
the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebrations in various parts
of the country.

The President who acknowledged that the country was facing
various challenges noted that they were beyond the simplistic
options being debated.

He, however, gave an assurance that the Federal Government would
remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to
reduce the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum.

President Buhari stressed the need for people to live and move
freely without let or hindrance, noting that security was also
crucial for the growth of the economy.

He said the worthy values of the Christmas season such as joy,
peace, hope, love, goodwill, and imminent salvation, were very much
needed at this time to overcome the challenges facing the
country.

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President Buhari added that the social intervention measures and
other economic policies of the government have begun to yield
positive results, even at modest rates.

He congratulated Nigerians, especially the Christians, and urged
them to celebrate while observing all the non-pharmaceutical
measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the
country.

Read the full text of the President’s message to the
nation below:

PRESIDENT BUHARI’S 2020 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in
particular and all Nigerians in general on this joyous occasion of
Christmas 2020, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

In Christendom, the Christmas season represents joy, peace,
hope, love, goodwill, and imminent salvation.

These worthy values which Jesus’ Advent symbolise, 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
schoolchildren, are the targets and victims of mindless and
malevolent elements in the 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.

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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.

To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being
bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex,
multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to
the barest minimum.

Our people must be free to live and move without let or
hindrance. This is crucial not only to enthroning an atmosphere of
calm and social cohesion but for the economy to grow.

Let us use this season of goodwill and joy to renew our faith in
the ability of this administration to make a lasting difference in
the lives of our hard-working people.

Our Social Intervention measures and other economic policies are
already yielding positive results even at modest rates.

We shall deliberately target our youths so that they will not
fall into the trap of unpatriotic elements to foment social
disobedience leading to avoidable loss of lives and property.

Let me reiterate that while the right to peaceful association
and protest is guaranteed under our laws, this administration will
not fold its arms and watch protests however well-intended,
degenerate into wanton killings of law enforcement and other
security personnel, as well as destruction of private and national
assets.

It is gladdening to note that the various schemes and components
of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) are being implemented
faithfully to support micro-small businesses.

I am particularly delighted that artisans, small-time
transporters, traders, and farmers are the main beneficiaries as we
continue to provide safety nets to the most vulnerable members of
our society as well as business owners to mitigate the harsh
economic environment occasioned by COVID-19.

In spite of dwindling national revenue worsened by the pandemic,
we will do all that is required to fully implement the 2021 Budget
of Economic Recovery and Resilience.

We are optimistic that all things being equal, we should be able
to exit recession in the shortest possible time.

There is every indication that our country is already
experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infection.

As we celebrate Christmas with families and friends, I urge all
citizens and residents to adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical
prevention guidelines of regular hand-washing, wearing masks, and
social/physical distancing with a view to mitigating the spread of
this devastating virus.

While national and state institutions are trying their best, we
must take individual responsibility and resist the strong
temptation of compliance-fatigue by following the recommended
protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19
and beat the ravaging pandemic.

I have absolute confidence in the spirit of resilience of our
people to do the needful and remain vigilant even as this festive
season witnesses increased travels and celebrations.

Staying alive to enjoy future festivals should be the
watchword.

I wish all Nigerians divine protection and Merry Christmas.

Muhammadu Buhari

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