ACCRA – Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has since its inception on 29th May, 2015 brought renewed hope in restoring security, rebalancing the economy and tirelessly fighting corruption now almost to a standstill.
These were the words of the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Olufemi Michael Abikoye, while delivering his message during the celebration of Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary in Accra, Ghana on October 1, 2018.
He noted that the anniversary is always a day for celebrations, reflective remembrance on the journey so far as well as a rededication for the future challenges in our collective quest for a great country.
President Nana Akufo Ado of Ghana was represented at the event by Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea, Member of Parliament (MP). It was also witnessed by members of Nigerian community in Ghana and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Amb Abikoye, who highlighted the progress being made at home in all spheres of our national lives said the theme of this year’s celebration “Harnessing our resources for national development”, was rightly captured.
On security, he said “Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.
“Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this worldwide menace of terrorism. Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism. But we are not letting up.
” In this direction, we are rest assured that Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies in fighting not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.”
He also spoke on the economy, saying ” the Government has remained proactive in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which was launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with various initiatives to enhance self-sufficiency in food production and exports.
“Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.
“The country has recorded seven consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in 2016 to N305 today. Broad-based economic growth has led us out of recession. It is interesting to note that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) injected into the Nigerian economy in the first quarter of 2018 was $808.56million.”
President Buhari, he said is pushing ahead with the fight against corruption, noting that the administration’s new institutional reforms include: successful enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Whistleblowers policy as well as Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System, IPPIS.
On Nigeria/Ghana relations, Amb Abikoye noted that “As the two largest economies in West Africa, the subsisting excellent bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ghana remain a crucial one for the region. While the gains from these relations are growing in bounds by the day, and in all spheres of human endeavour, may I humbly observe that we can do more and this we must do.
“Permit me to once again put on record that the enviable excellent relations that subsists between our two great countries in West Africa and beyond is very well epitomised by the resounding successes being recorded in our peaceful negotiations and resolution of mutually beneficial issues, through the newly rebounded Nigeria-Ghana Permanent Joint Commission, in all sectors of our relations.
“I must also state, at this juncture that the recent minor irritants on trade issue is being amicably resolved and the government of both countries are working hand in hand to build a better trade relation.
“This anniversary message will not be complete if I fail to, once again, publicly appreciate our wonderful host, the President of the Republic, His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Government and the good people of the Republic of Ghana for their caring and brotherly love that they have always extended to both the High Commission, my humble self, my officers as well as our compatriots that are living peacefully with their host and neighbours throughout the length and breadth of the Republic.”
