By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday conferred the highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Federal Republic, (GCFR) on the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Buhari also conferred the second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shetima at an Investiture Ceremony held at Conference Center of Presidential Villa Banquet, Abuja
The President will hand over to the President-elect next Monday, May 29, 2023 at an elaborate ceremony billed for Eagle Square Abuja and to be attended by foreign dignitaries.
“I have run my course. I am happy that I am handing over to competent hands,” President Buhari said.
In his address at the investiture, President-elect said his election to lead the over 200 million people in the country was a goodwill, which came from a place of trust.
He said, “I am a simple man who is the beneficiary of the support and goodwill of the people of Nigeria.
“The people have put their trust in us. You have done your part Mr. President.
“Now, that great duty descends on me. I understand the meaning of the honor given to me today and of the task that awaits.
“I must run this race and must do it well. On security, the economy, agriculture, jobs, education, health and power and in all other sectors we must make headway. The people deserve no less. In this, I shall disappoint neither them nor you, Mr. President.”
The President-elect recognized that though Nigeria’s path may not always be smooth but expressed faith in the country’s purpose and collective ability to overcome challenges.
He said, “Our way shall not always be smooth. Yet we are imbued with faith in our purpose and a firm belief in our collective ability to overcome the challenges that confront us.”
The President-elect also commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s unwavering commitment to progressive and democratic good governance, recognizing him as a leader who took courageous decisions when others shied away.
He specifically thanked President Buhari for designating June 12 as Democracy Day and honouring MKO Abiola with the GCFR title, a decision other presidents were afraid to take.
He said, “President Buhari, you have shown courage in taking tough decisions others avoided.
“One such decision was to recognize the injustice of the annulment of the 1993 election, to designate June 12 as Democracy Day, and to bestow the nation’s highest honor on the late MKO Abiola.
“As much as anyone could, you reached back into history to set the record straight and heal a festering wound.
“The justice you did in this matter lends special meaning to today.”
The President-elect also expressed his gratitude to President Buhari for bestowing the nation’s highest honors on him and Vice President-elect Shettima, promising to carry
“Thank you, Mr. President, for bestowing the nation’s highest honors on my Vice President elect Shettima and me,” he said.
Asiwaju Tinubu also extended his appreciation for the transition documents and the diligent work performed by the transition council led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.
While acknowledging the comprehensive scorecard presented in the transition documents, he said, “The documents summarize the immense work of your administration. They constitute an impressive and noteworthy scorecard.”
He further emphasized that the ceremony exemplified Nigeria’s vibrant and true democracy, where one leader honors his successor and ensures a smooth transition of power.
“This stately occasion is living evidence that Nigeria is a vibrant and true democracy.”
