By Umar Muhammad Puma
Former head of state, and a presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the APC government if elected in 2015 will ensure commonwealth is used to develop our country for the benefit of all Nigerians, saying Nigerian has no business with poverty and unemployment.
Addressing Nigerian youth groups on the occasion of his 72nd birthday anniversary yesterday, Buhari said his government will create more jobs for the youths and implement strategies that will engage as many unemployed Nigerians as possible with long-term programmes to make unemployment history in Nigeria.
“Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to God, who has given me long life and good health, and for sustaining my passion and commitment to continue to serve our dear country, Nigeria. I cannot pretend to be as happy as I ought to be. Nevertheless, we shall not allow the challenges confronting Nigeria to lead us to despair.
He said despite the daunting challenges facing the nation, he never wavered from his desire to contribute to a better Nigeria. “the true mark of character is for one to believe in a good cause, and to have the courage and conviction to fight for that good cause regardless of all obstacles and challenges.
“When I said, “This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, has no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together”, I had no idea that 30 years and a lost generation later, we will still be facing the same sets of problems: corruption, insecurity of lives and property, decaying infrastructure, dilapidated public institutions, crushing poverty and underdevelopment.
Adding that the problems with Nigeria are self-inflicted and can be solved. “Be assured that our dreams for a better Nigeria might have been temporarily halted, but our resolve has never wavered. We must get our acts together and salvage our country. It will be criminal to waste the exciting potentials I see in you.
