- Clergy, traditional ruler, Glo urge Nigerians to keep hope alive
By Lukman Olabiyi and David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
IMMEDIATE past minister of National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman has given kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for the fight against Boko Haram.
Suleiman gave the commendation in llorin in reaction to President Buhari’s speech commemorarting Democracy Day and one year of his administration.
He noted that there is now peace in parts of the country where, hitherto, recorded mass casualties and displacements due to attacks by the insurgents.
The former minister urged the government to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far to engender development in the area.
He noted that no meaningful development could be attained in an atmosphere of rancour, hatred and acrimony.
Suleiman advised Buhari to bring his ministers closer to him to be able to get direct information on issues affecting the country, including the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians. He also suggested the inclusion of more economists into the administration, to fast-track the country’s economic recovery.
Meanwhile, Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, has called on Nigerians to keep hope alive despite the humongous challenges confronting the nation.
In his goodwill message to Nigerians on this year’s democracy day, the prelate said: “Exactly 17 years ago, May 29, 1999 to be precise, our renewed attempt at democratization yielded the much anticipated result when a democratically elected president was inaugurated into office.
“Prior to that day, the struggle for democracy led to several political assassinations, incarcerations, maiming and killing of innocent Nigerians. So, it was easy to understand the great euphoria and celebrations that greeted the advent of a new democratic dispensation in 1999.
“But looking back to that day today, one can aptly say those expectations, for many, have been shattered”.
However, the Prelate commended the efforts of the present Government at tackling corruption.
“The fact that so much looted funds are being recovered and to see that many countries across the world are willing to return funds looted and stashed away in their countries also gives ones heart something to cheer about”, he said.
Similarly, traditional ruler of Igbo-Ukwu kingdom, Igwe Martin Ezeh, urged Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari.
He reasoned that Nigeria was in disarray when Buhari took over the mantle of leadership, saying he started well by beginning with corruption war.
The Igwe said it was expected that Mr President would use the money recovered from looters to fix electricity power generation to attract more investors with the result that many Nigerians would be employed.
He advised Buhari to ensure equitable distribution of the national resources through appointments and infrastructure development “so that no section of the country would feel marginalised”.
On its part, Globacom, stated that the sustenance of democracy over the last 17 years has gradually placed Nigeria on the path of justice, liberty and egalitarianism.
Congratulating Nigerians on the 17th anniversary of unbroken democracy, Globacom said “the last 17 democratic years of our nationhood have been a learning curve for politicians and citizens”.
The telecommunications company urged all arms of government to cooperate and firm up strategies to pull Nigeria out of dire straits.