President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the real impact of coming out recession will be better felt when ordinary Nigerians experience a change in their living conditions.
Speaking to newsmen after receiving the President of Niger, Alhaji Mahamadou Issoufou, at his country home in Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday, he said that he was “very happy’’ to hear the country was finally out of recession, adding that the real gain should be improved conditions for Nigerians.
Responding to questions from newsmen, the President said, “Certainly I should be happy for what it is worth. I am looking forward to ensuring that the ordinary Nigerian feels the impact.’’
President Buhari commended all the managers of the economy for their hard work and commitment, stressing that more work needed to be done to improve the growth rate.
He also said, “Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in peoples’ lives, our work cannot be said to be done.’’
In his remarks, the Nigerien President said he was most delighted to see President Buhari in good health, praying that the almighty God would continue to strengthen him.
President Issoufou said he used the opportunity of the visit to discuss some bilateral and regional issues with President Buhari, which included the fight against Boko Haram, the economic challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and other developmental concerns that directly affect the livelihood of the citizens of both countries.
The Nigerien President was accompanied on the visit by a former Prime Minister, Dr.Hamid Algabid, and the President of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Niger, Moussa Moumouni Djermakoye.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s exit from economic recession is a clear testimony that President Buhari’s administration is working for the progress and prosperity of all Nigerians, the Presidency has said.
Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing a solidarity rally for the Federal Government organized by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice.
Adesina said: “You have chosen a very auspicious day for this solidarity rally. Earlier today, we were told that Nigeria had officially exited recession.
“That shows that we have a government that is working for us. We have a government that is interested in our welfare. We have a government that is interested in our well-being.
“Recession came due to some mistakes of the past and in just about a year, the government battled it and today we are officially out of recession and we give all glory to God.’’
The presidential spokesman assured the rally that he would relay their message of support and solidarity on the unity of Nigeria to the President.
He added: “You know the President swore to uphold the Constitution and the Constitution recognises Nigeria as one indissoluble entity.
“The President has sworn to keep the unity of the country and whatever it takes; he will keep to that pledge.”
Adesina advised those ‘‘beating the drums of separation’’ to keep their peace, adding that the present government is resolute to preserve the unity, cohesion and togetherness of Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the convener of the rally, Comrade Goodluck Obi ,said the group wholeheartedly supports President Buhari’s uncommon resolve to fix a nation.
“Plundered and pillaged by irresponsible leadership in the past at various levels of government,” he stated.
Obi called on the National Assembly and the Judiciary to support the executive arm of government in the war against corruption, insurgency and economy recovery programmes.
Furthermore, he stated: “We want to sound a note of warning to both organs of government, that we the Nigerian people would no longer allow our collective destiny to be toyed with like a game.
“We are more than ever ready to mobilise the people to do the needful within the ambit of the law. Enough is Enough.”