Buhari: We will wrestle corruption to the ground, urges Shi’a community, Niger Delta militants to embrace peace

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration’s determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken.
The President, who gave the assurance in his New Year message to Nigerians, however, said that the fight against corruption would be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process.
He vowed that his administration would not spare anybody or organ of government in the ongoing crusade against corrupt practices.
“It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions.
“”The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign.
“”It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream,’’ he added.
On the economy, Buhari said his administration had focused its energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right.’’
According to him, agricultural revolution has begun and farmers in various parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests while states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice.
He said that “the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues was  gradually waning.
“I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.’’
He noted that the nation’s economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 was anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.
“”In pursuit of this administration’s philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy “Made In Nigeria” goods.
““Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future.
“”They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,’’ he further maintained.
On job creation, the President stated that his administration would sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of the youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves.
Buhari thanked Nigerians for their support to his administration’s efforts to transform Nigeria.
““I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition” he said.
He urged them to continue to support the administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all.
Buhari also urged Shi’a Community and Niger Delta militants to embrace peace and always abide by the laws of the country.
The President made the appeal in his New Year message to Nigerians issued in Abuja on Saturday.
He reassured that his administration would continue to pursue peace initiatives with aggrieved groups across the country.
Buhari particularly called on the Niger Delta militants to desist from their destructive activities and come to the negotiating table.
“We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta, as I again call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table.
“As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them too to embrace peace.
“They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves.
“At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law.’’
President Buhari stated that Nigerians must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.
“These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation.
“We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.’’