On the day of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day celebration, Nigerians have been recounting unpleasant stories that have characterized the country’s existence as a sovereign nation.
Their ordeal, which has been amplified in the last seven years under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, ranges from economic hardship to insecurity to poor infrastructural development. This backdrop means that the majority of Nigerians are living under multidimensional poverty, compounded by insecurity that has spread across the six geo-political zones of the country in the last seven years. And this is in contrast with Buhari’s pledge to lift 100 million Nigerians from poverty in 10 years.
Although Buhari has tried to absorb himself from blame, claiming that his administration has done well, the indices keep saying otherwise.
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In his Independence Day address, Buhari said that besides “emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, our focused intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme is also yielding benefits.” He added that he saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria and has done that with the support of Nigerians.
The above statement is what the majority of Nigerians, including the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, have found very hard to agree with. In her speech on Friday, during the 62nd Independence Day Special Juma’at prayer and Public Lecture themed Shura, conducted by the Islamic Foundation of True Democracy at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja, the First Lady apologized to Nigerians on behalf of her husband’s administration.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as you may be aware that this government is making its exit and perhaps witnessing the last anniversary of the regime, I ask Nigerians to pray for a successful election and transition programme.
“The regime might not have been a perfect one, but I want to seize this opportunity to seek forgiveness from the Ulamas and Nigerians in general. We all need to work together to achieve a better Nigeria.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, it is also noticeable that our Naira is being evaluated and the foreign exchange rate has affected our economy causing a lot of hardship and difficulties in terms of education, health and other day-to-day activities of our citizens,” she said.
The First Lady said she been doing her part by helping women, youths and children through her humanitarian foundation.
“I, through my Aisha Buhari and Future Assured Foundation, have put in place deliberate efforts and programmes focused on improving the quality of women, youth and children.
“Through this effect, I have empowered many communities. I appreciate all my partners and collaborators, the wives of the governors, the wives of service chiefs, my associates, well-wishers, and international bodies, that is development partners, I thank them all,” she added.