Nigeria needs sacrifice President Buhari states

Nigeria needs sacrifices to overcome its challenges and repair the damage done to it by years of bad governance, the President said yesterday.

The sacrifices, President Muhammadu Buhari said in his Eid-el-Fitr message, are needed to accelerate the pace of national development.

Buhari said: “Although we have come to the end of this year’s month of Ramadan, I believe that a greater acceptance by Nigerians of its key lessons of self-denial and sacrifice will serve our dear country well as we strive to overcome our present challenges, undo the damage done by years of bad governance and accelerate the pace of national development.

“Reviewing our dire circumstances and the many missed opportunities of the past, some commentators and observers have said that this is Nigeria’s last chance to get its act together and finally begin to fulfill its God-given potential for greatness.

“While not going that far, I certainly believe that now, more than ever before, our country needs greater self-denial, sacrifice and patriotism from all of its citizens, if we are to quickly recover from our numerous problems and start moving in a positive direction.”

According to him, this period offers Nigeria a great opportunity to break away from the vicious triangle of insecurity, corruption and under-development.

He said: “We must collectively resolve to seize this opportunity and unite to confront our problems. I remain wholly committed to giving the required leadership  towards undoing the wrongs of the past, ensuring that Nigeria truly begins to unlock its great potential and that the benefits of our immense national resources are shared and enjoyed by all, not just by successive cabals of corrupt leaders and their cronies.”

Stressing that he was not unaware of Nigerians’ high expectations when he assumed office on May 29, Buhari said he had been working with utmost dedication to meticulously plan and tackle the many national challenges which have been identified and to be resolve.

But to succeed, he said, he needs the continued support, understanding and patience of Nigerians.

Buhari said: “I fully understand and share the thirst of my long-suffering compatriots for corruption-free government institutions that work efficiently to deliver visible development for the benefit of all citizens.

 ”I also share the feelings of those who think that we should be moving faster.  But I urge them and all Nigerians to trust that my commitment to  real and positive change in our nation is as firm as ever.

“There is indeed much work to be done, but we must do it well and carefully to ensure that the great opportunity which we now have is not lost to the ‘business as usual’ group who selfishly or shortsightedly prefer a status quo that panders to their personal or group interests.”

Noting that the adverse effects of years of rot, corruption, inept and bad governance on Nigeria are immense, he, however, said that they are not insurmountable if Nigerians resolve to place the country above all other considerations and work wholeheartedly with the present administration.