Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has described as a huge success President Muhammadu Buhari trip to Russia.
The former governorship candidate in a press statement issued in Abuja said considering the various agreement signed by the two countries in the area of energy and steel sectors, particularly the resuscitation of Ajaokuta steel industry and rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and exploitation of our enormous gas potentials, President Buhari has successfully put to shame those accusing him of making needless trips across the globe.
He said:” “The trip was a diplomatic masterpiece. A rebuff to those ignorant of the duties of a President of a country asking him to ignore the invitation.
He is the No 1 Diplomat of His country and no diplomat stays in one place and expects good relationships with other countries. He is the Chief Sales Officer of his country and there’s no salesman who stays in his company and expects to make greater sales.
He is the Chief Public Relations Officer and Reputation Manager of his country, again no Public Relations officer would stay back and expects any good relationships with sister countries.
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With the damage to our reputation from corruption, crime and the self afflicted injuries of PDP’s 16 years of misrule, we can’t expect the President to stay in one place and think that things will improve.
In any case, what are the results of Mr President’s diplomatic forays? From China, we have the Railways, Mambilla Dam and better Airports. From Germany, Siemens power interventions. From South Africa better protection for our citizens.
From Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, we have the Sukuk bond. The list goes on. What are the benefits of such negativity other than further erosion to our name and image? This is something the President is working very hard to correct. I support him. I suggest we all do the same.”
He further dismissed critics of President Buhari overseas trips as ignorant of the enormous goodwill such fraternity with world leaders could generate for Nigeria.
“I want to congratulate Mr President and his team for what they have achieved in Russia. Coming a few weeks to this year’s Christmas celebrations, permit me to call him Baba Christmas. The fact that the journey to a next level has already begun is now clearly obvious.
“Those who displayed their ignorance of how world trade and politics are played by going on record to say that Buhari need not go to Sochi but should instead stay at home and solve the problems of decades sitting back in the villa must now be hiding their collective heads in shame.
To see and hear all that Mr President has achieved in Russia should impress even his harshest critics – if they have a conscience of course.
As I scrolled down the 13 different agreements that were reached, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride at the amount of effort and teamwork that must have preceded the visit and the different areas of the country and the economy impacted by them.
My single biggest emotion though was relief. Because of the top three priorities, we need as a country that can provide Jobs as much as possible.
I see millions of jobs from this visit alone. But as with so many agreements, meetings, summits and presidential visits, follow up is key. With a new cabinet that has results to deliver and a more collaborative legislature, however, I see a few challenges to a positive outcome. “
and then