President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has built a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

Buhari said in spite of the challenges bedevilling the country, his administration has made steady progress since he took office in 2015.

The President said this in his remarks delivered by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the induction programme for governors organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja on Monday, May 15.

He added that from the foundation his administration had laid, the incoming government would build on his legacies in ensuring that Nigerians continue to build the country of their dreams.

Buhari said: “The road has been bumpy due to a challenging fiscal climate, but I am proud to state as we leave office in about two weeks that we have built a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

“We could not have done everything, but we focused on a number of areas: infrastructure, agriculture, and strengthening our Armed Forces.”

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President Buhari added that in spite of the difficult fiscal conditions, his administration remained committed to its promises, especially the key areas that were strategically targeted.

“Our focus on infrastructure was to improve access to markets, improved linkages and to reduce overall supply chain costs.

“This singular commitment to infrastructure development for roads, rails, airports, ports, and affordable housing was designed to create better means of livelihood for our people and facilitate access to jobs.

“I am happy that we are succeeding in investing the nation’s wealth in every state of the federation and a clear path for sustainable development has been set,” Buhari said.

He, however, charged the newly-elected governors to deliver on their campaign promises to the people when they assume office.

President Buhari said by May 29, the governors-elect would be called upon to steer the affairs of their states for the next four years and become wholly responsible for the states as an enterprise.

The President urged them to take their responsibilities with almost responsibility to justify the trust bestowed on them by voters or get voted out of office after four years.

Also speaking at the event, the NGF Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, tasked the governors-elect on full diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Tambuwal said: “Full diversification of the economy entails shifting away from reliance on export of commodity like oil, gold, and agricultural produce to industrialisation for genuine development and sustainable growth of our economy.

“Rearticulation of our national industrialisation policy, improved power supply, and human capital development are critical in our quest for industrialisation for poverty alleviation and employment generation.

“This is a task the incoming administration must take seriously for national socio-economic reinvigoration.”

He also urged the governors to put in place viable strategies to address unemployment, poverty, and insecurity in the country.

The Star