President Buhari’s Happy New Year Message To Nigerians

Welcome to the beginning of a New Year of the
continuation of CHANGE in our beloved nation. I
am aware that Nigerians have experienced a
number of significant hardships over the past
months. Living in the State House has not
alienated me from your daily sufferings.
I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel
stations and of the difficulties businesses have
faced in acquiring foreign exchange. These
challenges are only temporary; we are working
to make things better. When I presented myself
to you as a presidential candidate and asked
you to vote for me, I wanted to be a leader who
keeps his promises. I wanted to be a leader who
restores the people’s hope in those elected to
serve them.
I wanted to be a leader who initiates positive
and enduring CHANGE. I am still totally
committed to being that kind of leader.
Unforeseen circumstances and other distractions
notwithstanding, I shall still do my utmost best
to keep every promise I made to Nigerians
during my election campaign. In the past seven
months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015,
my administration has focused on laying the
right foundation for the CHANGE you voted for
during our historic presidential election.
Nigerians will in due course begin to enjoy the
fruits of all our ongoing work. The effective and
efficient implementation of our 2016 budget
proposals will address many of the socio-
economic issues that are of current concern to
our people.
One area in which Nigerians, especially those in
the northeast, have already begun to experience
major CHANGE is in the war on terror. I
commend our Armed Forces for significantly
curtailing the insurgency which has ravaged the
northeast of Nigeria over the past few years.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done
in the area of security. Our Armed Forces will
maintain, consolidate and build on their
successes in the war against Boko Haram and
violent extremism. This government will not
consider the matter concluded until the
terrorists have been completely routed and
normalcy restored to all parts of the country
that have been adversely affected by the Boko
Haram insurgency. Our crackdown on corruption
will continue to be vigorously undertaken. I urge
the courts to support our efforts and help in the
recovery of stolen funds by speedily concluding
trials and showing that impunity no longer has
a place in our country.
There is much work to do in other areas as well
and I have charged all my ministers and other
appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience
positive changes in their lives in 2016. We must
reduce our country’s reliance on oil. We must
diversify our economy. And we must do all we
can to promote job creation. Our challenges are
many but our determination to succeed is
strong and unshaken. So too is our confidence
in God. I wish you all a very Happy New Year.
MUHAMMADU Buhari