President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed
to the Nigerian media to work with his
administration in fighting corruption and
improving the country’s economy.
Mr. Buhari stated this in his speech on
Thursday at the annual awards by the
Leadership Newspapers.
“I expect the Nigerian media to join our
government in pursuit of these goals not just
to criticize to prove their independence,” he
said.
The president added that “the media must
continually see itself as true partner in the
task of nation building and thus act in the
spirit of patriotism at all times in the
important role of informing the people of the
country.”
Mr. Buhari also spoke about the 2015
elections and the roles of different actors.
Read Mr. Buhari’s full speech below:
I am most delighted to be part of this
occasion organized by the Leadership
Newspapers Group to honour Nigerians who
have excelled in their chosen fields of
endeavour.
2.Let me hasten to congratulate my joint
award winners, my predecessor, His
Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan, GCFR; and Professor Attahiru
Jega, the former Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission,
as “Leadership Person of the Year”.
3.The events of 2015 which the Leadership
Newspaper has chosen to bring to the fore
today, marked a watershed in the political
history of our country.
4. Those of us who were participating actors
in the elections were led by the higher ideal
of the future of our great country and the
well being of our people rather than the mere
desire of politicians to win elections.
5. It is, therefore, our commitment to this
ideal, the patriotic zeal of President
Jonathan, the impartiality of the electoral
umpire, INEC and exemplary conduct of the
political parties, foreign pressure and other
actors that we collectively disappointed the
prophets of doom who had predicted the
disintegration of the country after the 2015
general elections.
6. Our democracy has been strengthened by
the outcome of the 2015 elections as our
people now have more faith in the electoral
system in the sense that their votes would
count when choosing political leaders at
various levels. We, the political class should
build on the experience of the 2015 elections
to nurture our democracy.
7. I wish to felicitate with the other award
winners for the recognition accorded them by
the Leadership Newspapers. It is my fervent
hope that the awards will encourage all
those recognized today to remain committed
to good behaviour in their various
endeavours to justify this recognition and
serve as inspiration to others.
8.The Leadership Newspapers have been in
the forefront of promoting democracy and
positive values that are necessary to achieve
national consensus on the issues that tend
to challenge our unity and progress as a
nation. We commend the Leadership
Newspapers Group and its publisher, Sam
Nda-Isaiah for standing firm on the path of
patriotism, justice and fairness.
9. Our participation in today’s ceremony is
therefore, a mark of confidence in the brand
of journalism practiced by the Leadership
Newspapers Group as it is a public
acknowledgment of the contributions of the
media to our administration’s agenda to
defeat terrorism and violent extremism in the
country, fight corruption and diversify the
economy to create jobs for our teeming
population and generally improve the
standard of living of Nigerians.
10. I expect the Nigerian media to join our
government in pursuit of these goals not just
to criticize to prove their independence.
11. The media must continually see itself as
true partner in the task of nation building and
thus act in the spirit of patriotism at all
times in the important role of informing the
people of the country.
12. On our part, our doors are wide open to
media inquiries in line with the transparency
and anti-corruption stance of our
administration.
13. Once again, I congratulate the award
winners today and thank the Leadership
Newspapers Group for the honour done to
us.
14. I thank you for your attention.
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