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Welcome to the beginning of a New Year of the continuation of CHANGE in
our beloved nation.
I am aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant
hardships over the past months. Living in the State House has not
alienated me from your daily sufferings. I am aware of the lengthy
queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in
acquiring foreign exchange.
These challenges are only temporary; we are working to make things
better.
When I presented myself to you as a presidential candidate and asked you
to vote for me, I wanted to be a leader who keeps his promises. I
wanted to be a leader who restores the people's hope in those elected to
serve them. I wanted to be a leader who initiates positive and enduring
CHANGE.
I am still totally committed to being that kind of leader. Unforeseen
circumstances and other distractions notwithstanding, I shall still do
my utmost best to keep every promise I made to Nigerians during my
election campaign.
In the past seven months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, my
administration has focused on laying the right foundation for the CHANGE
you voted for during our historic presidential election.
Nigerians will in due course begin to enjoy the fruits of all our
ongoing work.
The effective and efficient implementation of our 2016 budget proposals
will address many of the socio-economic issues that are of current
concern to our people.
One area in which Nigerians, especially those in the northeast, have
already begun to experience major CHANGE is in the war on terror.
I commend our Armed Forces for significantly curtailing the insurgency
which has ravaged the northeast of Nigeria over the past few years.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done in the area of
security. Our Armed Forces will maintain, consolidate and build on their
successes in the war against Boko Haram and violent extremism.
This government will not consider the matter concluded until the
terrorists have been completely routed and normalcy restored to all
parts of the country that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram
insurgency.
Our crackdown on corruption will continue to be vigorously undertaken. I
urge the courts to support our efforts and help in the recovery of
stolen funds by speedily concluding trials and showing that impunity no
longer has a place in our country.
There is much work to do in other areas as well and I have charged all
my ministers and other appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience
positive changes in their lives in 2016.
We must reduce our country's reliance on oil. We must diversify our
economy.
And we must do all we can to promote job creation.
Our challenges are many
but our determination to succeed is strong and unshaken.
So too is our confidence in God.
I wish you all a very
Happy New Year.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI
