Former Chief of Army Staff, and Nigeria’s former envoy to the Republic of Benin Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative reforms.
Buratai expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to spearhead critical reforms that will propel Nigeria towards sustainable growth and development.
Represented by Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani at the 8th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Buratai emphasized that proactive governance is essential for creating a conducive environment for investors and securing a brighter future for Nigeria.
He noted that Nigeria faces critical challenges, including insecurity, power deficits, and the need for digital transformation. The power deficit, with installed capacity at 12,522MW, far below the required 98,000MW, exacerbates energy poverty, affecting only 40% of the population with access to electricity.
According to Buratai, insecurity undermines social cohesion and economic development, making it imperative for collective action to tackle this menace. Effective strategies to mitigate threats and promote positive development in the digital space are also crucial. He urged Nigerians to support the government in achieving its goals, particularly in addressing the power deficit.
In his remarks, former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Mallam Yusuf Mamman, sounded the alarm on unregulated social media use, citing it as a significant threat to national security. Mamman urged GOCOP to harness the power of new media for Nigeria’s betterment, promoting positive development and counterbalancing negative online activities.
Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, identified poverty, youth unemployment, weak governance, and corruption as key factors contributing to insecurity. Imoke commended Operation Lafiya Dole’s successes against Boko Haram and advocated for a multi-faceted approach to address insecurity. This approach, he emphasized, should include adequate funding, dialogue, and addressing underlying issues.
Imoke’s recommendations resonated with Buratai’s call for collective action, highlighting the need for a unified response to Nigeria’s challenges. By working together, Nigerians can overcome the country’s challenges and achieve greatness.