President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn that his government has not been witch-hunting particular group of people in the war that is being waged against corruption since he assumed office in 2015.

He maintained that what his government has been trying to do is to ensure the protection of public trust in which the anti-corruption war is at the centre.

“We never intended, and we are not engaged in witch-hunts, but we are determined within the laws to call people to account.”

The President who spoke today, Tuesday, at the commissioning of the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, said that war on corruption is not an easy one to fight.

This is because, he said, it affects so many different branches of our lives, so much that some people do not even consider breaking trust is anymore a crime, addin: “it has become the norm. That is why we must fight this attitude and encourage Nigerians to CHANGE their attitudes and perspectives.”

Buhari said that throughout his journey in national service and since 2015, he had made a very conscious decision to pursue a vigorous fight against corruption in public life.

“Since 2015, we have made significant progress in the fight against corruption. Everyone now knows that corrupt officials will be held to account, no matter how long it takes.

“We have recovered and are still recovering trillions of naira that were stolen in the past few years by people without conscience.

“We are pursuing recoveries everywhere and are making sure that anyone who has been found culpable is made to answer for his or her crime under the law.”

President Buhari appealed to the judiciary, which he described as a critical stakeholder and partner in the war against corruption, to continue to collaborate with the Executive to bring corrupt people to book.

He also called on the Legislature which, which he said provides the legal framework for the anti-corruption war to add more verve to the determination of government to rid the country of the brazen corruption witnessed in recent years, through reviewing archaic provisions in the laws and proactive passage of new legislation.”

He described the EFCC headquarters as not only a structure of concrete and metal, but also an edifice symbolizing the resolve of Nigerians to fight corruption. Saying: “we must CHANGE our ways of handling public trust.

“Corruption not only kills governments but destroys societies. It is the major reason why we are struggling with basic developmental issues that other comparable nations have long overcome.”

President Buhari appealed to Nigerians to support regulatory agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, because fighting corruption is everyone’s concern.

“I call on the Judiciary and the National Assembly to join hands in this national effort.”

He is happy that many nations have re signified interest to help Nigeria to tighten their laws and enter into agreements with Nigeria to repatriate not only stolen funds but to make the culprits face due process of law.

“We are committed to working with our foreign friends to stop the inflow of stolen funds from Nigeria into their countries and recovering what is there already.  These assets, when repatriated will be put to building our infrastructure.”

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that women in Nigeria will not rest in their fight for parity with men until success is completely achieved.

According to her, the struggle for gender parity in Nigeria has been a long standing one, with as many shortcomings as there are successes, “but we will continue the struggle until we reach a situation where the interests of women are protected and achieved.”

Mrs. Aisha Buhari, who spoke today, Tuesday, when she received in audience members of the Resuscitation Committee of the Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, a Non-Governmental Organization, advised women to use their voting power to influence the entrenchment of democratic values of probity, accountability and the rule of law in order to guarantee peace, stability and growth in Nigeria.

The President wife asked the association to encourage women not just to select the best candidates and vote for them, but to also contest elective offices themselves, adding: “it is easier to make a difference than to elect someone else to do so.” She said.

She commended the NGO for thriving for over 50 years, saying she is optimistic that the dreams of the founders of the NGO will come to fruition.

Earlier, the Chairperson, Mrs. Aisha Pamela Sadauki, said the NGO has over the years made its mark by supporting the cause of women and made contribution towards addressing societal challenges of street children, drug abuse, school drop outs among girls and low political participation by women.

She said that the NGO will continue to be an advocate in these areas. Even as she commended the work Mrs. Buhari is doing for women and children through the Future Assured Programme, promising to support her in this regard.

The organization later decorated Mrs. Aisha Buhari as Grand Patron of the Association.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N10bn for the renovation of villages ravaged by herdsmen in Benue and other Nigerian states.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has announced the approval of N10 Billion by President Muhammadu Buhari for rebuilding of villages that have been ravaged by herdsmen who have been on killing spree.

Professor Osinbajo, who made the announcement during his visit to Benue State today, Tuesday, said thatPresident Buhari had also promised to do all within his power to put an end to the killing of innocent citizens by the herdsmen in no distant time.

The Vice President commended the state governor, Samuel Ortom for protecting his people despite distractions.

“President Buhari has approved a total of N10 billion for rebuilding of villages and communities including farmlands that were attacked in Benue and other affected States.

“The President asked me to make this my priority, so be ready to be seeing me here more often. The government of Nigeria has a duty to protect you, and we will protect you.

“I want you to have hope and confidence and most importantly to also know that we are not doing you a favour by promising to provide you with security, a place to live and school for our children, it is your right as citizens of this country.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has thanked Nigerians for their understanding of the unpleasant realities his government inherited from the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking today, Monday, at the palace of the Emir of Dutse, the Jigawa State Capital, Alhaji  Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, during a two-day visit, Buhari said that his government is focused on delivering on promises with clear-cut targets, prudent management of resources and a deliberate policy to plug wastage and pilfering of government resources.

President Buhari said that the odds of initial dwindling oil prices did not discourage the government from setting targets for lofty developmental projects and achieving more in three yearsthan the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party’s misrule.

The President said the growing support the administration currently enjoys can be attributed to the understanding of Nigerians of the unpleasant realities it inherited, and the efforts to reposition the economy in spite of “what the opposition keeps sponsoring in the press.”

He directed the minister of Water Resources, Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, to work with the Jigawa State Government to alleviate the challenge of water scarcity in the state capital, following a complaint by the Emir of Dutse.

On arrival in Jigawa State, the President began his engagements at Auyo, near Hadejia, where he inaugurated the expansion of an irrigation scheme and paid a visit to the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje.

The President, who was received by a tumultuous crowd, thanked the Emir of Hadejia and his people for always supporting him, even when he was an opposition candidate.

He said that his visit to Hadejia was more of homecoming, promising to give more attention to the needs of the people in the Emirate.

In his remarks, the Emir of Dutse commended the Federal Government for its efforts in addressing the challenges of corruption, terrorism and drug abuse in the country.

The Emir requested that the Date Palm Research Centre in Dutse, currently under the National Oil Palm Research Institute, be moved to the Federal University, explaining that the research centre would be more relevant and functional in the university.

Both Emirs held special prayers for the President and his administration.