President Buhari meets with Nigerian Community in France on 12th Nov 2018President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that his government has acquired new sophisticated weapons and hardwares for the Nigerian military to squarely deal finally with remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking in Paris, France, today, Monday, at an interactive session with Nigerians residence in France, President Buhari assured that the war against terrorism will be reinforced with new weapons and hardware for the military.
He added that the challenge of abduction and kidnapping in some parts of the country will receive more attention with better gathering of intelligence.
He also assured Nigerians that allocations to the educational sector will be improved as revenue increases, describing the sector as a major engine for the development of any country.
The President said that about five per cent allocated to the education sector is inadequate to propel the desired growth for the economy, pointing that United Nations target of 26 per cent remains ideal.
“We are currently reviewing investments in the entire infrastructure of the country like road, rail and power, including investing more in education. We will certainly need to do more in education.”
President Buhari enjoined Nigerian elites, both at home and Diaspora, to do more in contributing to the educational sector of the country, expressing surprise that the elites tolerated the fall in standards and structures of educational institutions despite oil windfalls in the past that would have made all the difference.
“I am doing my best now to utilize our resources to develop the country. We are already getting results on road, rail and power.
“My frustration is that some people still have plenty stolen money stashed in Europe, U S and other countries.”
President Buhari said that return of stolen assets in some safe havens will bolster the administration’s current effort of investing more in critical infrastructure that directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians .
“We campaigned on three key issues; security, improving the economy, and fighting corruption, and we have not been controverted by anyone that we have not recorded some results.”
On Nigerians in Diaspora participating in elections, the President admitted that with the population of Nigerians in various countries across the world, they should necessarily be involved in electing leaders.
He said however that Diaspora voting might not be possible in the 2019 general elections because the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been more focused on strengthening and consolidating on its achievements of conducting credible elections within the country.
The President expressed the hope that Diaspora Nigerians may be involved in electing leaders in Nigeria in future.
In her remarks, Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Enitan Irele, said that Nigerian community in France have demonstrated high sense of responsibility, dedication and morality, adding that the large number of professionals have been encouraged to also contribute to the country’s development.
“Nigerians here are law abiding, peaceful and resourceful.”
Dr. Irele said that President Buhari’s commitment to change will make Nigeria the envy of other African countries.
The Nigerians in Diaspora, who participated in the meeting, raised questions on education, inclusive elections, security infrastructure and the economy.
