Buhari bags Award from Progressive Governors Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari has been given an award by the Progressive Governors Forum.

Governor Rochas Okorocha presents the Award to President Buhari

Governor Rochas Okorocha, along with other All Progressives governors presented the award to Buhari in Abuja on Friday.

At the ceremony, Buhari said his administration remains committed to
improving the welfare of all citizens as well as tackling the challenges
of insecurity in the country.

According to him, insecurity remains the greatest challenge
confronting the nation but government will not relent in its effort to
address the problem.

Buhari, therefore, enjoined the citizens to cooperate and support
security agencies in addressing the challenges of insecurity across the
country as “security is a collective responsibility’’.

“You are all quite aware that insecurity has remained a big challenge
for us all but we are determined to face this challenge and secure the
country more than ever before.

“While the protection of lives and property is the primary
responsibility of government, it is also incumbent on the citizens to
share in this responsibility as security is a collective responsibility.

“You will all agree with me that Nigeria is on a renewed growth
trajectory. Accordingly, we will do all within our powers to sustain the
current economic recovery efforts.

“We will continue to reinforce our micro-economic policies to achieve sustainable economic stability and growth.

“We will also continue to ensure the growth comes along with more jobs and a fair and just distribution of the national wealth.

“I thank you for your continued patience and sacrifices in moving the
nation forward. We remain committed to improving the welfare of the
Nigerian people.

“It will be labouring the point to say that true federalism is
necessary at this juncture of our political and democratic evolution,

“We need to build bridges across the different divides and institute
faith in the unity and indivisibility of one Nigeria,’’ he said.

Buhari called on State Governments to be pillars of the ongoing
anti-corruption agenda and to continue partnering with the Federal
Government to deliver more democratic dividends to citizens across the
country.

The President, who was honoured with an award by the forum at the
event, said the award would spur him to do more for the citizens
irrespective of their socio-political backgrounds.

“I am very humbled by this award. It is a further reminder for me to
continue to dedicate my life and my time to serving the Nigerian
people,” he added.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Gov. of Imo State, Chief
Rochas Okorocha, lauded the leadership qualities of President Buhari,
describing him as “a leader naturally loved by the people’’.

While delivering a vote of thanks, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, also
commended the president for coming to the rescue of state governments by
providing them with bailout funds as well as the Paris Club refunds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that outgoing governors of
Borno (Kashim Shettima), Imo (Rochas Okorocha), Nasarawa (Tanko
Al-Makura), Ogun (Ibikunle Amosun), Oyo (Abiola Ajimobi), Yobe (Ibrahim
Gaidam), Zamfara (Abdulaziz Yari) and former governor of Osun, Rauf
Aregbesola were also honoured with awards during the occasion.