President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday promised Nigerians that he would never surrender to corruption.
He said fighting corruption was a task that must be done in order
to protect the larger interests of the ordinary Nigerians whom he said
were the worst victims of diseases, poverty, malnutrition. Buhari spoke
in his Eid-el Kabir message to Nigerians made available to journalists
by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President said surrendering to corruption was not an option because it destroyed society and progress of nations.
“Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you
should not chicken out from the task as a leader because doing so is a
betrayal of public trust,” he said.
The President explained that religion was a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and action.
He, however, regretted that selfishness, greed and corruption had
overwhelmed human beings to the extent that people abandoned their
religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.
On the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President
reassured Nigerians that such were temporary because the welfare of the
people was the main thrust of the change agenda of his administration.
To buttress this point, Buhari cited the many initiatives unfolded
by the administration under the Social Investment Programme among which
was the recent decision to distribute recovered looted funds to the poor
against the past practices of re-looting such funds by some people in
authority.
Buhari spoke in his Eid-el Kabir message to Nigerians made
available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President said surrendering to corruption was not an option because it destroyed society and progress of nations.
“Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you
should not chicken out from the task as a leader because doing so is a
betrayal of public trust,” he said.
The President explained that religion was a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and action.
He, however, regretted that selfishness, greed and corruption had
overwhelmed human beings to the extent that people abandoned their
religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.
On the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President
reassured Nigerians that such were temporary because the welfare of the
people was the main thrust of the change agenda of his administration.
To buttress this point, Buhari cited the many initiatives unfolded
by the administration under the Social Investment Programme among which
was the recent decision to distribute recovered looted funds to the poor
against the past practices of re-looting such funds by some people in
authority.
Buhari urged Nigerians to rise above personal, group, sectarian and
other interests, and promote harmony and tolerance in dealing with one
another at all times.
He urged all Muslims to use the Eid-el Kabir for sober reflection
and self-examination, and strive to be good ambassadors of their
religion by upholding high moral values
He reminded Muslims that this occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is a
remembrance of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Allaihis-Salam to
Allah, his Creator, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice
in relating with one another, and when it comes to nation-building.
“We must sacrifice for others and remember always those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” the President declared.
Meanwhile, President Buhari is billed to celebrate this year’s
Eid-el Kabir with his kinsmen in his home town, Daura, Katsina State on
Tuesday.
The President on Monday left Abuja for the purpose.
His convoy left the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for
the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 3.06pm.
Some top government officials saw Buhari off as he left for his home town.
The government officials included his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari;
the National Security Officer, Babagana Monguno; and the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The President is expected back in Abuja after the Sallah break.
Recall that the Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays to mark the Sallah.