The president spoke at the Vanguard Personality Award ceremony in Lagos where he was jointly honoured with his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Personality of the Year Award, 2015.
Buhari’s call for increased confidence in his administration came as Jonathan praised all Nigerians for contributing to the successes of the elections that characterised his time in office. Yesterday’s award ceremony which also witnessed awards of Governor of the Year to Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun and Ibrahim Damkwambo, Gombe saw a melting of the political and cultural differences that shape the country. Various cultural displays intermingled within and outside the Ekpo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites that was the venue of the award ceremony
Also honoured yesterday with life time achievement awards were former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, Mrs. Nike Akande, chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Otunba Sobunmi Balogun and Senator David Dafinone.
Also honoured yesterday was Mr. Jim Ovia, the chairman of Zenith Bank plc as businessman of the year while Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was honoured with the Hero of Democracy award. Leading lights in politics and the professions were present at the ceremony yesterday among whom were Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. Yesterday’s award ceremony elicited measured response from the audience when the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle embraced his predecessor, Aremo Segun Osoba twice.
He first embraced him just before the commencement of the ceremony and after he picked up his award. Yesterday’s award ceremony was flagged off at 7.30 p.m with opening remarks presented by the General Manager/Editor in Chief of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye who referenced the award as the epitome of recognition to men and women of excellence in the professions.
Following him the chairman of the ceremony, Oba Otudeko described the award ceremony as one of the most auspicious events of the year. He praised the exemplary efforts of the awardees in their various endeavours.
In his speech, President Buhari who was represented by the minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to tell our compatriots that this Administration is keenly aware of the difficulties they are facing at this time, resulting mostly from the fuel scarcity, poor power supply, inflation etc.
“As a government that was propelled into office by the power of the people, we cannot but feel the pains of our compatriots, and we deeply empathise with them.
We are working round the clock to ease the pains of Nigerians, and the efforts of the government have started yielding fruits as we seek to make the petroleum products available nationwide, restore gas supply to the power generating firms, reflate the economy and put Nigerians back to work.
“We understand that Nigerians have started questioning whether this indeed is the CHANGE they voted for, while some have even gone as far as saying that by voting for our party, Nigerians have entered one chance.
“Well, I can tell Nigerians that our CHANGE AGENDA is real, and that indeed, they will get the change they voted for. Nigerians have not entered One Chance, because the One Chance drivers and their conductors have been driven out of town.
“While we cannot but provide context for the challenges being faced by our countrymen and women today, in the sense that it has taken years of mismanagement, corruption and inefficiency to get to this sorry pass, we make no excuses.
After all the people voted for us so we can correct the mistakes of the past and enthrone good governance.
We are doing just that. But we want our compatriots to realize that 16 years of rot cannot be cleaned up overnight. It is much easier to destroy than to build. But we are determined to rebuild our country and to make life more abundant for our people.
“Change is a process, and that process has begun. We commend Nigerians for their perseverance. We urge them not to lose their confidence in the ability of this Administration to bring about the much-needed change.
The pains of today are temporary, and will soon give way to abundance joy as we put our country firmly on the path of sustainable growth and development.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I don't think so. If you feel our pain Baba you should stay in Nigeria and together we figure the problem out and solve it Sir. Your advisers and party men are misleading you Baba.
ReplyDelete... Na Jonathan and PDP 16yrs cause am.
ReplyDelete16 years of neglect and mismanagement cannot be erased overnight. These are trying days but I know it will get better. Renovations are more inconveniencing than fresh building. Only let us all agree to begin to do the right thing everywhere. That is the change.
ReplyDeleteU don't feel d pains of Nigerians
ReplyDeleteDear Garba, it is better to feel the pains from abroad
ReplyDeleteIf there is any iota of honor remaining in general Buhari. He sold resign and apologize to Nigerians. He has brought untold hardship and death on the people. Tismismwhat happens when you are blinded by the crass pursuit of power without planning on what to do with the power when it comes.
ReplyDeleteIndeed you are a true leader, Nigerians will continue to pray for your adminstration to succeed and put trust in your government
ReplyDeleteMushafahu, Buhari is not leading! He is tired and is not enlightened enough to understand the rudiments of modern government. Remember he is the Minister of Petroleum. Has he spoken to us about the real cause of the fuel scarcity and his SOLUTIONS to end it once and for all? At least we were given a solution by the last regime and if he's going to change it, he should let us know his own solution to the problem!!!
Deletesycophants and blind illiterates. The country is dying and you people are still praising Buhari. We voted him for a change and all the promises he made. Now is excuses upon excuses. Why is he even travelling when the whole country is on stand still. Companies are closing and school are shutting down. what a situation we are in. What about the over $30 billion that Obasanjo confess that Jonathan left for Buhari and this just not even a year yet. Please am getting more and more annoyed with people that are supporting baba go slow here that even this administration. You are not the only person that voted him please be reasonable and put ethnicity and tribal bigotism aside.
ReplyDeleteAgreed 100% to your comment. I am a northerner and I voted him as well but lets' be Frank nobody said PMB is not having good intention, we know that no matter how slow is construction, it is better than destruction as compared to PDP government but this perennial fuel crises is a pure administrative flaw on his side.
DeleteWoow. You Nigerians sit down on your lazy ass expcting the government to do everything for you. Look this is the time for nobody's to become somebody. There are so many opportunities now with corruption being chased out of the system. Let us stop thinking only about what our country can do for us but also think of what we can do for our country. Eg next week I will pay for and lunch a website that will showcase, market and even sell made in Nigeria products only so that we are enlightened about the products Nigerians are making at home and also patronize them. Also for over a month now I have not purchased any foreign product after I made up my mind that "if its not made in Nigeria then I am not paying for it. What have any of you done to help??? All you are good at is insulting the government.
ReplyDeleteGuy shut your trap. You can say all this rubbish cos you have fed and have your lazy behind on a sofa staring at your smart phone. Tell that to ordinary Nigerians who need one litre of fuel to make a living.
DeleteYeah. Like i said thats all you are good at. Continue insulting while people are progressing. In sane climes the private sector creates jobs and means for the ordinary people u are referring to and thats what am working on doing. What is your contribution....insults.
DeleteNigerians should let PMB know that enough is enough of these deceptive statements. Besides, his statements amounts to nothing when they are not matched with actions. He has not deemed it fit to address us as citizens -- all we see is traveling round the Globe and speaking from outside the shores of the country. No matter the good policies you may think you have, if as a leader, you can not communicate effectively, you give room to suspicion.
ReplyDeleteI am cock sure he knew he was coming to fix the wrongs of previous administrations, hence, there should be NO ROOM FOR EXCUSES as we have noted to be the stock-in-trade of this APC government.
Nigerians,Please be patient,all will be well by God's grace.It is difficult to build but easy to destroy.God is with those who patiently persevere.
ReplyDeleteLets us pray for our Leaders
ReplyDelete