president Buhari assures better 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has said 2017 had
been a very tough year for Nigeria, but
expressed optimism that 2018 will be a more
prosperous one.
The President stated this when he received a
delegation of Federal Capital Territory residents
who paid him Christmas homage in the
Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari, however, noted with delight that God had
answered the prayers of Nigerians as the rainy
season was good and farmers recorded bumper
harvest across the country.
He said: “It has been a tough year for Nigeria
and I hope next year will be a much more
prosperous one.
“But God listened to the majority of us.
“The raining season was very good and some
states have got very good information.
“I never knew that the people from Kano who are
more resourceful used to go to my area and hire
farms.
“This year, nobody hired farm and nobody
regretted it.
“And again the second one from the Governor of
Sokoto State said all the people that really
registered early to perform last pilgrimage to
Saudi Arabia were farmers.
”But he didn’t tell me if they took additional
wives.
“But I am very pleased that people have gone
back to the land with very good harvests.”
Buhari used the opportunity to commend
religious leaders for partnering with government
in ensuring peaceful co-existence among the
diverse ethno-religious groups in the country.
He stated that reports reaching him from
security organisations across the country
indicated that the religious leaders had been
assisting the security agents in the maintenance
of peace and tranquility in the society.
He said: “I thank you very much for coming,
especially the religious leaders.
“I am very pleased you are doing your best from
the intelligence I am getting to make sure that
people live as good neighbours and good
Nigerians.”
Buhari, who also spoke on his recent miraculous
medical recovery, said his absolute adherence to
doctors’ instruction and orders was responsible
for his improved health conditions.
He said: “It has been a tumultuous year.
“I thought I was 74, but I was told I was 75.
“I have never been so sick even the 30 months
civil war (when) I was stumbling under farm of
yams or cassava, but this sickness I don’t know,
but I came out better.
“All those who saw me before and when I came
back said I look much better, but I have
explained it to the public that as a General, I
used to give orders now I take orders.
“The doctors told me to feed my stomach and
sleep for longer hours.
“That is why I am looking much better.”
The delegation and Minister of the FCT, Alhaji
Muhammadu Bello, had earlier thanked God for
not only restoring the President’s health, but also
making him stronger and better looking.
Bello said: “This is the third homage and we
have never seen you better as you look today.”
The Chairman of the Christian Association of
Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Jonah Samson, lauded the
Buhari administration for its performances in the
fight against corruption and insurgency in the
country.
Samson, who also commended the
administration’s efforts towards ensuring
security of life and property of citizens, urged
the government to provide additional
employment opportunities to address youth
restiveness in the country.
The highlight of the event was the presentation
of Christmas cards to the President by the FCT
Minister and the Chaplain of the Aso Rock
Chapel.