Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has said he was prepared to lay down his life for the country since the day he joined the Nigerian Army.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari stated this on Saturday June 12 as Nigeria marks 2021 Democracy Day.
“The day I joined the Nigerian Army, I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria,” Buhari said.
In the nationwide broadcast on Saturday in Abuja to mark this year’s Democracy Day, the President said he remains committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The president vowed to do all within his power to constitutionally ensure that the security and welfare of all citizens remain the primary purpose of government.
He expressed optimism that the nation would come out of its current challenges stronger.
“As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
“Overcoming the present challenges is but one of the necessary processes that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger.
“The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s corporate existence.
“In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, notably Section 14(2)(b), I shall do all within my power to ensure that the security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government,” he said.
He disclosed that his administration had been providing the security agencies with all they needed in their ongoing efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
The latest allocation of fund for the security agencies was made on June 9, when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N770.6 billion.
The amount was meant to further enhance the capacity of the defence and security agencies to address current and emerging security challenges in the country.
The president said: “I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.
“My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.”
Buhari also reiterated that his administration is not against the ongoing agitations for constitutional reforms, but due process must be followed in achieving such goals.
According to him, the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly (NASS).
He, however, expressed the readiness of his administration to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the NASS.
He said: “In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.
“While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation-building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.
“This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
“Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.”
