Nigeria's unity is non-negotiable- Buhari
Thu Jul 07, 2016 09:09:am National
1.9K By Buchi Obichie
Receiving visitors who came to pay him sallah homage at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari insisted that Nigeria's unity was not negotiable.
Recalling the famous quote of Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), the President stated that the task of keeping Nigeria as one united entity is a task that must be done.
The President also warned all those who had looted the nation's treasury, to return what they stole, as Government would not relent in seeking to recover them.
President Buhari also pleaded with Niger Delta militants once again, to give peace a chance.
He said: "We have to concentrate on the militants to try to know how many of them, in terms of groupings, try to get in touch with their leadership to try to persuade them to please give Nigeria a chance.
"I assure them that when we were very junior officers, we were told by our leaders, by the Head of State, who was Gen. Gowon, that to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done...we never thought of oil.
"What we were after is one Nigeria. Please, pass the message to the militants that one Nigeria is not negotiable. And I pray they better accept it. The constitution is very clear as to what they should get and I assure them there would be justice.
"Please persuade those who have plenty of money that do not belong to them to try and negotiate, return it in peace so that both them and us will be in peace, otherwise we will continue to request."
The President also sounded optimistic about the agricultural sector, noting that the country would soon start feeding itself; as the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and 13 states were working hard to ensure that Nigeria achieved self- sufficiency in the production of rice.
He said the programme had reinvigorated confidence in many farmers, who had already returned to the field.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was also present, noted that the last one year of the administration was dedicated to cleaning the "mess of the past administration."
Praying to God to grant the President wisdom and strength for the continuing task, Osinbajo however expressed hope that Nigeria would be placed on a sound footing in the months ahead.
Recalling the famous quote of Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), the President stated that the task of keeping Nigeria as one united entity is a task that must be done.
The President also warned all those who had looted the nation's treasury, to return what they stole, as Government would not relent in seeking to recover them.
President Buhari also pleaded with Niger Delta militants once again, to give peace a chance.
He said: "We have to concentrate on the militants to try to know how many of them, in terms of groupings, try to get in touch with their leadership to try to persuade them to please give Nigeria a chance.
"I assure them that when we were very junior officers, we were told by our leaders, by the Head of State, who was Gen. Gowon, that to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done...we never thought of oil.
"What we were after is one Nigeria. Please, pass the message to the militants that one Nigeria is not negotiable. And I pray they better accept it. The constitution is very clear as to what they should get and I assure them there would be justice.
"Please persuade those who have plenty of money that do not belong to them to try and negotiate, return it in peace so that both them and us will be in peace, otherwise we will continue to request."
The President also sounded optimistic about the agricultural sector, noting that the country would soon start feeding itself; as the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and 13 states were working hard to ensure that Nigeria achieved self- sufficiency in the production of rice.
He said the programme had reinvigorated confidence in many farmers, who had already returned to the field.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was also present, noted that the last one year of the administration was dedicated to cleaning the "mess of the past administration."
Praying to God to grant the President wisdom and strength for the continuing task, Osinbajo however expressed hope that Nigeria would be placed on a sound footing in the months ahead.
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