President Muhammadu Buhari bids farewell to the Nigerian people today, expressing his apologies for certain decisions that caused hardships and suffering among the citizens. As he hands over the presidency to President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Buhari commends himself, asserting that Nigeria is in a better state than when he assumed office in 2015.
However, he also acknowledges his administration’s failure to rescue abducted children and expresses condolences to the families affected by senseless violence. In his farewell address after eight years in power, the outgoing president speaks amidst high expectations for Tinubu’s tenure. The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) emphasizes the urgency of restructuring the country, while the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) rates Buhari poorly on addressing insecurity but applauds his infrastructure efforts, including the completion of the Second Niger Bridge and the establishment of Lux Mundi University.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) advises Tinubu against hastily removing subsidies on petrol, highlighting its socio-economic implications. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warns Tinubu to prepare for challenges with labor, as several industrial disputes initiated during Buhari’s term remain unresolved.
In his farewell speech, President Buhari apologizes for the hardships caused by his economic policies but defends them as necessary for the country’s overall well-being. He expresses his continued sorrow for the children still in captivity and reassures the nation that security agencies are working tirelessly for their safe release. Buhari highlights the significant progress made in reducing banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, and other criminal activities during his tenure. As he returns to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, he believes Nigeria is on the path to greatness and has confidence in the incoming administration’s ability to accelerate the country’s progress.
President Buhari urges Nigerians to unite and work together with a shared purpose to achieve a better Nigeria. He congratulates President-elect Tinubu, whom he considers the best candidate, on realizing his dream of leading the country and expresses certainty in Tinubu’s commitment to excellence, competence, fairness, equity, loyalty, and global relevance.
However, as Buhari concludes his presidency, the CBCN criticizes him for the security challenges the country currently faces. Catholic Bishops President, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, acknowledges Buhari’s achievements in infrastructure development, particularly the approval of Lux Mundi University and the completion of the Second Niger Bridge. Nevertheless, Ugorji asserts that Buhari’s efforts in tackling insecurity fell short, citing the prevalence of Boko Haram, banditry, Fulani herdsmen, and unknown gunmen in various parts of the country, including the South East.
While praising the approval of 36 new universities, including Lux Mundi, Ugorji emphasizes the importance of expanding tertiary education to accommodate the increasing number of admission seekers who are unable to secure spots in existing universities. He believes Lux Mundi University’s unique curriculum will equip students with the necessary skills to address the unemployment crisis and ensure they are prepared for the evolving job market.
Ugorji also commends Buhari for addressing the dilapidated infrastructure in the South East, specifically citing the completion of the Second Niger Bridge and the progress made on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway.
Despite mixed assessments of his tenure, President Buhari stands by his claim of a satisfactory performance. The completion of infrastructure projects and the reduction of certain criminal activities are among his notable achievements as he hands over the reins of power to President-elect Tinubu.
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