By Jude Opara, Abuja
The former Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has said that Muhammadu Buhari’s government brought an unprecedented transformation of infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and public welfare, which deserves to be etched in golden letters.
Shehu made the statement yesterday in Abuja while addressing newsmen during a pre-launch briefing on his book titled; “According to the President: Lessons from Presidential Spokesman’s experience.
He said that Buhari introduced a culture of personal integrity in governance and the he also left office with his integrity fully intact, adding that apart from strengthening the country’s security, he also enhanced the nation’s stature abroad.
“His government brought a new culture into government- a culture of personal integrity and set new benchmarks in transparency with the institution of the Treasury Single Account, Tax Identification Number (TIN); Bank Verification Number (BVN); Whistle Blower; the usage of National Identification Number (NIN) and the various other transparency -enhancing schemes”.
He explained that the book aims to serve as a valuable resource base for students, journalists, politicians and Public Relations practitioners, adding that it documented effectively the key achievements of President Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
He stated, “President Buhari came into office with his integrity with transparency benchmark and due to his work which will continue to speak for him, he left office still with his integrity fully intact”.
According to him, Buhari was particular about the plight of the poor and downtrodden including farmers, students, youths and small business owners.
“Buhari’s government made sincere efforts to improve the quality of life of farmers, youths, promoters of small businesses, and even traders, in addition to strengthening the nation’s infrastructure. Buhari’s government brought a culture of personal integrity into government.”
Shehu who was at the briefing with some of his former colleagues and aides said the book is aimed at correcting some of the misgivings and misinformation that have been erroneously in public space concerning the administration of Buhari.
He also revealed that the book captured some of his experiences while he served as the spokesman to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar before his services were terminated abruptly by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, due to the misunderstanding that broke out between the two first citizens.
“Recall that I served as a spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the Second Term of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007.
“The fact notwithstanding was that I was in office for only six months before the president fired me through television statements. This was a testy yet remarkable period in my professional growth”.
“Throughout that period and the years that followed, we were fighting others for the political life of the vice president. The book documents those rough and tough moments, not only for the vice president but also for those who were around him. Throughout that period and the years that followed, we were fighting others for the political life of the vice president”.
The former presidential spokesman added that the book is to add to what the former Special Adviser Media and Publicity to Buhari, Femi Adesina and others have done to document some of the events of the era, including going into details of even what the former President ate and wore.
“This book tries to build on what Femi Adesina and several others have done, which is to authoritatively document the achievements and some of the historic decisions of the Buhari administration in eight years.
“It brings President Buhari up close: how did he govern? What did he eat? And the clothes he wears for some occasions?
“Given his unique personal styles, President Buhari wasn’t a leader who merely cut ribbons and took pictures. He wanted his work to speak for him, as he tried to reach the doorstep of the poor through a first-of-its-kind Social Investment Program (SIP).
The 260 page book which has 10 chapters is to be launched on July 9, with many top dignitaries including former President Buhari expected to be in attendance.
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