PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS, JANUARY 1, 2017

My dear Compatriots,

I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.


I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation.

I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

North Korea Kim Jong Un bans Christmas

North Korea leader, Kim Jong Un, has banned Christmas. The leader wants the few Christians in the hermit state to worship and celebrate his grandma, Kim Jong-suk and not the birth of Jesus Christ.

The citizens should now pay homage to the so-called sacred mother of the revolution, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1949, by visiting her tomb.

 

2017: ARMY SETS SIGHT ON SAMBISA FOREST FOR TRAINING

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday said Sambisa forest would serve as training ground for personnel of the Nigerian Army as from 2017.

Buratai said this in Damasak, Borno, while celebrating Christmas with troops of 145 Battalion after the road leading to the town was reopened by Gov. Kashim Shettima, three years after closure.

He said troops were already conducting a mop up operation in the forest after the last strong hold of the Boko Haram terrorists was captured.

DEAR COMPATRIONTS: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S 2016 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

Dear Compatriots,

I heartily rejoice with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on this year's celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I believe that it is very appropriate for us to reflect on the love of God aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that comes in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth.

There is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges.

We can have peace in Nigeria if we all learn to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority; and be our brothers’ keepers in word and deed.

Christmas: More troops, operatives deployed to Kaduna

…KDSG relaxes curfew

More troops have been deployed to Kaduna State ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations just as the 24-hour curfew imposed in the three Local Government Areas of Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon Kataf has been relaxed.

The development was after credible intelligence at the disposal of security agencies suggests apossible threat to peace and urgent need to nip it in the bud and the earlier imposition of 24-hour curfew in three local government areas of the state, namely, Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon Kataf.

Samuel Aruwan, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s spokesman disclosed this in a statement.

Aruwan said:

COAS BURATAI'S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2017 GOODWILL MESSAGE

FROM LIEUTENANT GENERAL TY BURATAI CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF TO OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY

LIEUTENANT GENERAL TY BURATAI

It is with utmost humility and gratitude to the Almighty that I send this goodwill message to officers, soldiers and indeed the Nigerian Army family on the Christmas and New Year Celebrations. Let me use this opportunity to commend the efforts and sacrifices of our gallant officers and men currently engaged in the counter insurgency operations in the North East and other operations across the country and abroad. I congratulate you for your bravery, doggedness and loyalty in these endeavours. 

I want to urge you all to maintain the momentum and remain steadfast as we continue to professionally and responsively carryout our constitutional roles. On my part, I would continue to ensure that troops’ welfare and that of their families, remains my utmost priority.

WHY PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS LAGOS AND KEBBI ON LAKE RICE, SAYS THERE'S MORE TO COME

President Muhammadu Buhari commends Lagos and Kebbi States for the successful partnership that gave rise to the local production of LAKE Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice).

The President particularly salutes the commitment of Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu in bringing to fruition the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country's rice requirement.

He also expresses delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice especially at this period of recession.

"It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations," the President notes.

WHY PRESIDENT BUHARI DID NOT ATTEND THE SOUTH EAST ECONOMIC AND SECURITY SUMMIT - PRESIDENCY

Contrary to media reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari snubbed the recent South-East Economic and Security Summit in Enugu, below is the accurate account:

The President was presented with a request to attend the Economic and Security Summit by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

The President happily accepted. The visit to Enugu was scheduled for Thursday 22nd as can be found on the weekly programme. After this was done, some other stakeholders from the South East came and advised him not to go in view of the closeness of the date to Christmas; given the sensitivity of the period to the people, a presidential visit may come with overexertion and possibly, be disruptive of Christmas.