President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed his agenda for the remaining three years of his tenure in office.
President Buhari unveiled his agenda while receiving letters of credence from ambassadors/high commissioners of eight countries at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday.
The president listed nine priority, including improvement of access to quality education, health care, power supply poverty reduction, according to the statement.
He said efforts are being made to sustain Nigeria’s position as a profitable investment destination with unequalled incentives in all sectors, especially large market and flexible tax system which investors from various countries can take advantage of.
The statement read: “In our efforts to achieve a realistic domestic and foreign policy, as well as national development, we have identified the following nine priority areas to guide our policy directions over the next few years.
“Build a thriving and sustainable economy; enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty; enlarge agricultural output for food security and export; attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products and expand transport and other infrastructural development.
“Expand business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation; expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians; build a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion; and improve security for all.’’
President Buhari said the nine priority mandates were already reflected in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, a medium-term initiative pioneered by the government to restore economic growth and development while leveraging the resourcefulness and resilience of the citizens.
He urged the diplomats to use the opportunity of working in the country to improve relations with their governments and people.
“I have no doubt that you might have prior and in-depth knowledge of Nigeria’s huge potential which you will hopefully see for yourselves.
“I, therefore, urge you to go around the country, see things for yourselves, and report to your home governments.
“This is important as you all are representatives of both your sending and host states,” the statement read.
Speaking on behalf of the diplomats, the Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Hocine Latil, was quoted as saying that each of the diplomats brings greetings and agenda from their home governments, but the bottom line remains to enhance cooperation and seek advancement in mutual areas of interest.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we thank you for receiving us. We know that your schedule is tight. As the giant of Africa, you are always focused on resolving conflicts in the continent, while taking care of your domestic issues as well,” he said.
The Algerian ambassador said the African ambassadors will leverage the opportunity to further enhance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and learn from one another.
The ambassadors/high commissioners who presented their letters of credence are Hocine Latil of Algeria; Luong Quoc Thinh of Vietnam; Dr Benson Alfred Bana of Tanzania; Traore Kalilou of Cote d’Ivoire; Abakar Saleh Chahaimi of Chad; Jamal Mohammed Barrow of Somalia; Brahim Salem El Mami Buseif of Sahrawi Arab Republic and Mohammed Alibak of Iran.
