June 12, (THEWILL)- President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said “criminal Nigerians” were taking advantage of the situation Nigeria has found herself over insecurity and insurgency
The President stated this during his nationwide broadcast on Saturday morning as he addressed Nigerians on the occasion of the June 12 Democracy Day.
In his speech, Buhari expressed condolences to those who died as a result of insurgency in the country.
He however alleged that “Some criminal Nigerians are taking advantage of the situation” to undermine the efforts of the government to come out of the challenges.
Buhari said that when elected in 2015, the desire of Nigerians was for him to end insurgency and end poverty. He said, “We are already addressing these obstacles.”
The President said his government is addressing the two major contributors to the growing cases of insurgency which he identified as “poverty and youth unemployment.”
He said the Central Bank of Nigeria is leading efforts and initiatives to lead the country out of poverty as a way to end the cases of insecurity, adding that the CBN and the Bank of Industry are also involved in industrial efforts that would create more jobs across the nation.
The President said that at the end of 2020, N324 billion loan has been disbursed to more 136 small and medium scale enterprises.
In what he called “Infrastructure Revolution “ Buhari said his government has spent fortunes to revamp the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and Ibadan -Lagos Railway corridor and other major infrastructure projects saying these are targeted at ensuring even development.
The President admitted that there are more still pending to be done.
“Dear Nigerians, I will need to first admit that in spite of achievement of our administration which are there to see, there are still more to be done,” he said.
He said during the pandemic a sum of N5,000 was paid to 100 million Nigerians through the existing channels.
President Buhari said his administration decided to change Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 not to satisfy those who died for democracy but also to satisfy the yearning of Nigerians.
He asked Nigerians to play their part by supporting the efforts to ensure free and fair electoral system.
The President further noted that he has throughout his tenure provided what is needed to ensure security of lives and properties.
He said his government is facing the challenges of keeping Nigeria as one with all its energy.
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