NewStats: 3,262,260 , 8,176,652 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 04:19 PM 6h5g66

President Muhammadu Buhari says government was aware of some “mistakes and wrongdoings”in the handling of the affairs of those displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

“We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits,” Buhari vowed in his address to the nation this morning to mark the new year.

He, however, expressed joy at the return of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes in Damasak, Borno State on December 25, 2016, saying the development reassured that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country was imminent.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Lawal Babachir, has been at the centre of a probe by the Senate which alleged that funds earmarked for the welfare of the IDPs were improperly handled. Specifically, Babachir was accused of awarding a contract to a firm in which he allegedly has interest.

“Government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits”, the President said.

“Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream.”

On the return of those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to their homes, Buhari said: the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.

“The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal”.

‘We have won war against Boko Haram’

While welcoming Nigerians into the new year, he expressed happiness that the war against Boko Haram, had been largely won by the military. According to him, the capture of “camp zero”, the last stronghold of the terrorists in Sambisa Forest, was a positive signal that the fight had entered into a healthy phase.

His words: “I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country, Nigeria. “I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation. “I know you will me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

“Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

“When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

“I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest. “Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

“The of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country”.

Other security challenges

The president assured that the security agencies would tackle other security challenges in the country. “In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges”, Buhari said.

“The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness. Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.”

‘Love one another’

The president urged Nigerians to show love to one another in the new year. “I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says “it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch”. Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers”, he stated.

“I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

“The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us. We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.

“These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to and tolerate one another and live together as one.

“We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table. “As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law”.

Measures to revive economy

Buhari stated that measures were put in place to revive the economy and also create jobs for the unemployed. “On our part, in the past 20 months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right”, the President said.

“The agricultural revolution has begun. Farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice, and the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this istration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.

“As you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

“In pursuit of this istration’s philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy “Made In Nigeria” goods. Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future. They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“On job creation, this istration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves. “I thank you for the public for our istration’s efforts to transform Nigeria. I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I urge you to continue to this istration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/boko-haram-victims-funds-buhari-speaks-wrongdoings-vows-punish-culprits/

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

God bless and grant you wisdom Mr. President as you pilot the affairs of this great nation.

The wicked and evil doers most especially those that took advantage of the oppressed shall surely not go unpunished.

This 2017 we shall be divinely repositioned irrespective of the enemy within or known foes.

Where is Shekau and the rest of the Chibok gals? This "King of the North" sef.

Its 2017, i want to advise the mods on here to try as much as possible to cut down the movement of irritating posts to the FP.

I pray Nigeria gets it right and i wish mr President good health.


Anyways



Drabeey was HERE

The north has been contributing the people that has bees destroying this country since the days of lord lugard, buhari is no exception

May God help you but deep down inside me, I know this is just lip service, with 50milla for shit, 800milla for car, 100milla for spoon etc you can continue to deceive your herd of zombies not me

Let us all pray for Buhari in 2017, prayer is the key.

Well its January 1st 2017 so I'll be nice.
.. Happy new year Mr president, just make us happy small

5% of 270million

Ok

welldone Mr. President. .. May d almighty make it easy for u!

The ancient of days
Sounding like he started his New Year on this note.

Its too early to start making empty promises...we have had enough of this last year!


Happy New Year Friends!

Talk talk talk and more talk. After house of reps ad-hoc committee investigates for 4weeks, police investigates for 6weeks , then Attorney General woud do his own for 4weeks ,then DSS would investigate for 3weeks and hand over to EFCC who would investigate for fvck all, and then we'd find ourselves at this same point in Jan 2018.
Nigeria we hail thee.
So what did he say about the economy? Has he changed the lethargic economic team? Using this same team and promising economic recovery was like what wenger did two years ago when he promised to win the EPL within two years. Today he is talking of ze mental strength- that mental strength is exactly what Nigerians have in abundance, though it has been used up in fighting back the hordes of Nairaland zombies.
What am I even saying sef. ...........

Buhari is trying when it comes to dealing with corruption and terrorism.

Joker

All propaganda, why wait till December to squash Bokoharam...to give us a new year gift abi ?,....I can even believe the Nigerian Govt. That said they killed Shekau only for the guy to surface later.. Yet the govt went mum on the issue.

Please i just want to ask o!
If Yesterday was December, today is January so tomorrow is February?

Nawa for Nigerians, meanwhile

God bless Nigeria. The least I expect from any reasonable Nigerian is to be optimistic about the possibilities of a better Nigeria in 2017. I see no sense in persons attacking Mr President at any given opportunity as this has an indirect way of drawing us back. We shall have 2017 a lot better than 2016 economically and in the area of security too. God bless Nigeria.

God Bless Nigeria,
With positive sights from the war on terror, and Nigerians finally learning to get off their lazy ass to create food for themselves, its is obvious to the blind that this Nation is finally growing.

Buhari you are too slow taking decisive actions and that is having serious negative impact on your image and the country. Turn up the heat already. Most of us dont just understand why people like Abba Kyari and Babachir Lawan are still hanging in there for.

If its his enemies it is corruption. If its his friends it is mistakes. Get behind me, nepotist

No mention of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen and southern Kaduna massacre?

Or is it not an issue to him? PMB don't prove my suspicions right. This would have been an opportunity to make a specific statement in the issue.

Useless talk as usual

May God give you wisdom to succeed

nwachivis:
The ancient of days
Sounding like he started his New Year on this note.

How did u steal my weed pix?

adeyak83:
May God guide you to be succeed

ENGLISH

My prophecy for 2017

GOD WILL REVIVE NIGERIA
WE WILL GET OUT OF RECESSION
OUR NAIRA WOULD HAVE VALUE
FOOD STUFFS WILL BE CHEAPER
MANY NIGERIANS WILL MAKE IT THIS YEAR

Franchise21:
How did u steal my weed pix?

Are you the only one who smokes weed ?

nwachivis:


Are you the only one who smokes weed ?

That's my weed bowl n that's my palm