Nigeria committed to good governance and fighting terror

By Muhammadu Buhari July 20 at 9:20 AM

Muhammadu Buhari is president of Nigeria.

This month, the world moved a step closer to the defeat of Boko Haram, the jihadist group that has terrorized hundreds of thousands in the northern states of Nigeria. In one of my first acts since taking office as president six weeks ago, I have replaced the heads of Nigeria’s army, navy and air force. Our new military leadership has not been chosen because of their familiarity with those in government, as was too often the case in the past, but on their track records and qualifications alone.

These new military leaders will be based in Borno State in northern Nigeria, where the headquarters of the armed services has been relocated. This shift of resources and command directly to the front line, in addition to the replacement of the head of the State Security Service, Nigeria’s intelligence organization, and a new emphasis on working in partnership with our neighbors, has equipped us to take the fight directly to Boko Haram.

Already we are beginning to see a degrading of Boko Haram’s capabilities as a fighting force. In recent weeks, it appears to have shifted away from confronting the military directly to an increase in attacks on civilian areas, as we saw only last week when an elderly woman and 10-year-old girl blew themselves up at a Muslim prayer gathering in northeastern Nigeria. We should not be confused by this change, hateful as it is: It does not mean that Boko Haram is succeeding in its aims — it shows that it is losing.

While we work to defeat the terrorists, I ask the people of Nigeria and the world for resolve and fortitude. The campaign we will wage will not be easy; it may not be swift. We should expect stages of success and also moments when it may appear that our advances have been checked. But no one should have any doubt as to the strength of our collective will or my commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace and normalcy to all affected areas.

Similarly, my determination should not be underestimated in other matters. This includes instilling good governance and tackling the scourge of corruption that has held Nigeria back for too long.

As I meet with President Obama today — the first time a president of the United States will encounter a Nigerian counterpart following the peaceful transfer of power in a contested election in our history — I will be discussing my plans for critical reforms. So, too, will I discuss why the formation of my administration is taking time and, crucially, why it must. Already there are voices saying these changes are taking too long — even though only six weeks have passed since my inauguration. I hear such calls, but this task cannot and should not be rushed.

When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim. In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.

I cannot stress how important it is to ensure that this process is carried out correctly, just as it has been crucial to first install the correct leadership of the military and security services before we fully take the fight to Boko Haram.

There are too few examples in the history of Nigeria since independence where it can be said that good management and governance were instituted at a national level. This lack of a governance framework has allowed many of those in charge, devoid of any real checks and balances, to plunder. The fact that I now seek Obama’s assistance in locating and returning $150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former, corrupt officials is testament to how badly Nigeria has been run. This way of conducting our affairs cannot continue.

Indeed, the failure of governance, it can be argued, has been as much a factor in Nigeria’s inability thus far to defeat Boko Haram as have been issues with the military campaign itself.

So the path we must take is simple, even if it is not easy: First, instill rules and good governance; second, install officials who are experienced and capable of managing state agencies and ministries; and third, seek to recover funds stolen under previous regimes so that this money can be invested in Nigeria for the benefit of all of our citizens.

We seek the support and partnership of the United States in these tasks. The importance of the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria, Africa’s most powerful economy and largest populace, cannot be underestimated. Our allies can provide much-needed military training and intelligence as our soldiers take the war effort to Boko Haram. Similarly, we look to U.S. businesses as well as the Obama administration to help develop governance initiatives that can ensure that Nigeria’s wealth benefits all its people, not just a few. By taking these steps, we will be positioned to benefit from increased investment — particularly in energy and electricity — from the United States.

I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight. In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.”


http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/nigeria-committed-to-good-governance-and-fighting-terror/2015/07/20/8c1acd00-2e21-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html

baba carry go, we dy ur back gidigba

OK. Hurray

We dey observe

This is the position of Nigeria's President...we should respect his opinion.

Sai Buhari ...for putting round pegs in the round holes in the fight against Boko Haram.

How can I work for this government?

I don't mind working without earning a kobo.

This government is on a mission to restore Nigeria among comity of nations.

If seeking the help of the US will enable you govern well, then go ahead. All we want and seek is good governance and justice across board.

It's only the foolish ones who repeat the same thing over and over again but expect different result.

I have come to realize that PMB needs time to carry out a thorough overhauling of the system if positive results must be achieved. Rushing things as done in the past will yield no desired outcome.

..This lack of a governance framework has allowed many of those in charge, devoid of any real checks and balances, to plunder. The fact that I now seek Obama’s assistance in locating and returning $150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former, corrupt officials is testament to how badly Nigeria has been run. This way of conducting our affairs cannot continue.

Imagine what absence of good governance framework has caused Nigeria in just last decade! A whopping $150bn!

I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight. In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.”

At the emboldened, I agree completely but please communicate your plans more so that people don't unnecessarily become agitated as a result of unknown.

All in all, those of us who are solidly behind you are far more than the wailers against you.

Wailing wailers keep wailing

Nice write-up there Mr President.

Na wa ooo.....


APC still campaigning even after winning election.
..



Every time you hear we will....we shall....



when are we gonna start hearing we have/ I have?

maybe in the fullness of time

Great piece from the president. Shows he has a perfect understanding of what he's doing. I agree and see absolute sense in the presidents clear line of thoughts as expressed in this OP-ED.

It took Obama the President of the United States of America to squeeze PMB to make its 1st statement on Governance.
Until September comes "autopilot"

l have an honest advice for Nigerians.Don't put your hope on these people or their words.Whatever you see,take it!!Just trust your God.!!

Whoever that has a contrary opinion to this policy statement should offer a patriotic alternative road map or, forever, hold his or her peace

We dey wait

This is sensible in my opinion

Baba; please make me ur PA... please sire; I want to be part of this change

Style007:
K

Keneking:

Demmocrats:

Candyrain:
.

bright007:

obinna2nv:
h

lantessy:

phyllosilicate:
.

IAMTHEHERO:
b

when will this end?? Lol,, spacebookers association of nairaland.

Noted sir. And if u can't wait till september, Lagoon is always available. Sai PMB.

Style007:
K

. No december snail

sameer1212:
Noted sir. And if u can't wait till september, Lagoon is always available. Sai PMB.

Like I always say, the Lagoon is ever accommodating, so who ever is impatient with Buhari, should do the needful.

PMB my hero
Tinubu my. . . . .

Make somebody no sue me for copyright

dustmalik:

Like I always say, the Lagoon is ever accommodating, so who ever is impatient with Buhari, should do the needful.

I tell u my brother.

zinachidi:
when will this end?? Lol,, spacebookers association of nairaland.

hahahaha bros leave us o