‘We inherited a broken economy, insecurity, corruption’—Buhari’s valedictory FEC meeting
Valedictory FEC: We inherited broken economy, insecurity, Says Buhari
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his out-going members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for ‘not giving up’ when they inherited ‘broken economy, insecurity and corruption’ from the government of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Nigeria’s president has been criticised for failing to tackle economic and security challenges which were the hallmark of his administration.
Buhari said many could have given up given the load of work to do.
The 76-year-old president made the remarks on the occasion of the valedictory meeting of the current Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Although today marks the last day of FEC meeting for the administration’s first tenure, Buhari expected the ministers to keep working until the close of the administration on May 28. He will be sworn-in for second term on May 29, all things being equal.
CLOSING REMARKS BY H.E. PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE VALEDICTORY SESSION FOR MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (2015 – 2019) AT THE STATE HOUSE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON 22ND MAY, 2019.
Today’s Federal Executive Council meeting is the last time we will meet as a cabinet before the commencement of the second and final term of this Administration.
2. Our first meeting in this chamber was in November 2015. Over the past three and a half years, we worked together to deliver our campaign promises. I strongly believe that it is this team work that led to the successes recorded during our first term.
3. Some of our colleagues, with whom we started this journey, unfortunately, are not here to join us in celebrating our successes.
4. Specifically, I must recognise our late brother, James Ocholi SAN who passed away in a fearful motor accident with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua only four months after being sworn in as a Minister.
5. I want us to all put him, and indeed his family, in our memory. He was a true patriot committed to our CHANGE agenda.
6. I also acknowledge the contributions of other Council members who resigned before the completion of our tenure to pursue other opportunities. You will recall that when we started this journey, our country was facing numerous challenges.
8. We inherited a broken economy which eventually went into recession in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2016. The situation was further compounded by insecurity and massive corruption.
9. Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was well nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.
10. Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals. These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational.
11. It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term. Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength. We are a reflection of the Nigeria we aspire to achieve. A diverse but tolerant nation where no one is silenced and where every opinion should be heard and considered.
12. I want you all to leave this meeting proud to have served your nation to the best of your ability.
13. You should be proud to have been part of the Government that liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.
14. You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural agrarian economy 15. You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its worst recession in decades.
16. You should be proud to have introduced the social investment program that enhanced livelihoods of millions of Nigerians