Economy: Pains will soon give way to development, Buhari assures

Amidst the current economic challenges facing the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with his administration, while assuring that the current pains they are going through will soon give way to development.

The president stated this on Thursday, in Osogbo, Osun State, adding that Nigerians could only witness positive change through perseverance and patience.

He maintained that the people must be ready to sacrifice as a prelude to witness the positive change in the social and economic development of the nation, saying his administration was passionately committed to improving the welfare of the citizenry.

Buhari, who stated this during the inauguration of Osogbo Government High School, averred that “change is never achieved through a bed of roses, but through patience and perseverance. We are dedicated to restore integrity into the country, improve the condition of people and make the country a prosperous one.”

He stated: “We are quite aware of the pains and inconveniences that have been the lot of the citizenry in the past one year as we strive to faithfully implement our programmes in fulfilment of our change agenda.

“We are, however, comforted by the real change and progress we have made in fighting corruption and restoring integrity to government; providing security for lives and property and positioning the government for effectiveness and, especially, deregulating the oil sector,” Buhari asserted.

Describing the creation of states as a means of bringing governance closer to the people, the president emphasised that | “we can only renew our society and achieve greatness through investment in education,” saying the educational infrastructure provided by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State were worthy of emulation by other states of the federation.

While contending that his administration was committed to rescuing the country from past mistakes, Buhari reiterated that the Federal Government resolved to be supportive of state governments as a result of harsh economic condition, which was having a devastating toll on public workers and the generality of the citizenry.

He further described the inaugurated Osogbo Government High School as “ an educational monument and a “legacy project,” just as he lauded Aregbesola for abiding to the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto on education.

According to Buhari, “What we are witnessing here is a display of patriotism to the party’s manifesto by the governor. There should be a substantial commitment of energy and dedication to education by government at all levels.”

Earlier in his remarks, Aregbesola noted that the president’s visit and inauguration of the school were parts of the activities to mark Osun State’s 25th anniversary.

While commending Buhari for his transparent leadership, Aregesola said, “He has not disappointed us. He has faced his task with courage and doggedness. No doubt, he is facing some challenges, part of which is the fall in revenue that has put about 28 states under severe financial crisis.

“He continues with a rare sense of dogedness and faith in God as he faces the turbulent situations. We are satisfied with the way he manages the affairs of the state (country) and leads us. The challenges we are facing are as a result of the previous party’s (Peoples Democratic Party) rape of our resources.

Aregbesola, who estimated the cost of the project as N1.35billion, said the newly-inaugurated elementary school had standard facilities, including modern classrooms, offices, laboratories, toilets, library, bookshop, sick bay and multi-purpose hall which can accommodate 1,000 students for examinations.

Dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony included Oyo State governor, Senator Isiaka Ajimobi; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode; former Bauchi State governor, Senator Isa Yuguda; Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; Minister of Communications, Mr Shittu Adebayo, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11); Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun; Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Senator Sola Adeyeye; Senator Babajide Omowoware; the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam; Honourable Bosun Oyintiloye.

Others included Senator Ayo Fasanmi; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Osun State, Mr Sunday Akere and the former Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Regional Planning, Mr Muyiwa Ige.