President Muhammadu Buhari says he believes history will be kind to his administration, going by the situation inherited on security and economy, and the difference that has been made.
He made the remark in Katsina State on Thursday, while on a working visit to the State.
President Buhari, who inspected and inaugurated, development projects in health, education, and road infrastructure, extolled the Governor, Aminu Masari, for silently growing the State, with effective management of resources.
He said; “I have done my best, and I hope history will be kind to me,’’ he reiterated at a lunch, after the commissioning of Kofar Kaura Underpass, Kofar Kwaya Underpass, Kofar Kaura Water Works, Katsina State Internal Revenue House, Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute by the Ministry of Aviation, Darma Rice Mill in Batagarwa and Katsina State General Hospital.”
The President, who is on a two-day official visit to the state, also inspected ongoing work on the first flyover in Katsina, which has reached 90% completion in the Government Reserved Area.
President Buhari said ” the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, had been criticised for his leadership style, while many ignored the contributions of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF which he chaired under the former Head of State.”
The President noted that the PTF implemented many development projects, particularly in health, education and infrastructure, with some of the projects still evident in many parts of the country.
President Buhari explained that the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line was designed to enhance neighborliness and ease economic activity between Nigeria and Niger, and not only for cultural affiliation.
He said; “If you want to enjoy peace and harmony, you must be very friendly with your neighbour. That is why when I came into office, I started by visiting all our neighbours.”
The President said the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, deserved commendation for the youthful energy, intellectual capacity and visionary leadership he deployed in improving the security situation in the North East.
“We were lucky to have a young, vibrant and intellectual governor like Professor Zulum. He was all over the place, working. Who said Boko (Book) is Haram (forbidden)?,’’ the President stated.
Education
He urged Nigerians to be more focused on getting education that equips them for a dynamic and digital world, instead of studying to get a job only.
President Buhari noted that he had already learnt about the Governor’s numerous activities carried out in the state in the form of policies an programmes.
President Buhari said he was pleased that Masari’s administration placed more emphasis on the educational sector.
“While all the achievements recorded in Katsina State under the leadership of the Executive Governor are important, the education sector has really emboldened my belief that our society is in a stead to enjoy transformation in near future because when education permeates the life of members of society then the propensity to experience growth and development is very high.
“I congratulate the Katsina State Government for achieving these milestones and I wholeheartedly identify with the important strides Governor Masari has recorded,” he noted.
He assured citizens that the government would continue working for the peace and harmony of the country.
The Governor of Katsina thanked the President for honoring the invitation to commission projects in the state.
Masari noted that many hospitals had been renovated and upgraded, schools had been built and repositioned for quality education and roads had been constructed in various parts of the state.
The Governor presented a full report on his achievements in office over seven years, noting that enrolment in schools moved from over one million to more than two million annually, following interventions by the state government.
Masari appreciated the President for historic support to the states like the bailout, budget support and refunds which enabled many states to pay salaries and record some achievements at the downturn of the economy, with drop in price of crude oil.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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