News
Read Full Text Of Outgoing President Buhari’s Farewell Speech To Nigerians:
FAREWELL SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria.
2. I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment.
3. Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
4. This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
5. We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
6. Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
7. Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
6. Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
7. Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
8. I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
9. In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
10. As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
11. To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
12. You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher than I am leaving.
13. You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
14. The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
15. Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
16. This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
17. To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
18. We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
19. The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
20. You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
21. Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
22. Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
23. The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
24. In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
25. Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
26. Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
27. To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
28. Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
29. Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
30. I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
31. To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
32. On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
33. Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
34. I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
35. I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
36. As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
37. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.
38. I thank you all. And may God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.