President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Damaturu urged Nigerians to develop strong confidence in the country, its security institutions and never allow any terrorist group to destabilize Nigeria again.
Speaking at the palace of Damaturu Emir Hashimi II El-Kanemi, the president said the government will continue to protect the right to education for all Nigerian children, particularly children displaced from their homes by Boko Haram.
”With the four months I have left as president, I will remain firm and I hope to retire in peace.
”We must develop strong confidence in our country. Let’s make sure we don’t compromise safety in any way because safety and economy are the most important things.
“We’ve been through a lot as a country, and I’m asking you to be firm and make sure that we won’t let anyone disrupt us again,” he said.
Expressing his satisfaction at the return of peace and normalcy in Yobe State and northeastern Nigeria, the President thanked Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni and his Borno State counterpart Babagana Zulum for their persistence in rebuilding schools, health centers and institutions destroyed by the wrong terrorists.
The president noted that “there was a deliberate attempt to destroy Nigeria, but God did not allow it,” adding that “God has helped Nigeria to recover.”
He also praised the members of the Armed Forces and the Police for their sacrifices in protecting the country.
The president said that having fought to defend the unity of Nigeria during the Civil War, those who were part of that experience would never “allow anyone to play with this country again.”
Governor Buni told the president that in the heat of the battle against the insurgency, the Damaturu Emir’s Palace was invaded by terrorists.
“However, noteworthy today is that Yobe State is one of the states that you liberated from the clutches of Boko Haram terrorists.
“Before, in this palace, even if you put down a billion dollars for someone to come and pick it up, no one dared to come near, but your addition has made history, and the people of Yobe enjoy relative peace.”
The emir also thanked the president for improving security in the country, saying “we have had bitter experiences in the past, but your administration has unified the country.”
After the courtesy call at the emir’s palace, President Buhari proceeded to the commissioning ceremony of various projects implemented by the state government and the Nigerian Police leadership.
They include the State Command Headquarters, the Police Tertiary Hospital and access roads, and the Police Secondary School, conceptualized and completed under Police Inspector General Usman Alkali Baba.
He also inaugurated the ultra-modern Damaturu Market, Maternal and Child Health Complex at Yobe State Teaching Hospital, Potiskum Housing Estate 2600 and Damaturu Mega School in new Bra-Bra, executed by Governor Buni.
Before and immediately after his arrival from Yola, Adamawa State, the president had inaugurated the Yobe International Cargo Airport, which bears his name.
femi adesina
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