Former President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that security and economy in Nigeria improved significantly during his eight years in office as president of the country.
Buhari stated this on Wednesday when he received members of the Katsina State Correspondents’ chapel at his country home, Daura, Katsina State on a courtesy visit.
He recalled that before his administration, security and economic challenges were pervading the country, but his administration had curbed the menace of terrorism and economic meltdown.
He explained that the revolving security and economic strategies initiated and implemented by his government successfully tackled the economic and security woes he inherited from his predecessors.
Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said, “Security and economy improved significantly in Nigeria under my administration compared to what we met in 2015. Things will continue to improve in Nigeria.”
He said only Nigerians in the corridor of power would understand the administrative challenges confronting the country, adding that the nation’s leaders always faced bottlenecks in implementing policies and programmes.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Yusuf Ibrahim-Jargaba, commended the former president for tackling terrorism, banditry and other security challenges during his tenure.
While acknowledging the efforts of the former president in keeping the country united despite decisive statements, Ibrahim-Jargaba said his hard work, dedication and selfless service were responsible for making the country to remain indivisible.
Buhari also lamented that though he was still alive and agile, many of his classmates had since passed on due to natural or other causes.
Buhari also said some classmates of his who were still alive, were being helped to move around by loved ones as their health was failing.
He said he was thankful to God that he could still move around doing normal activities, including entertaining guests at his residence on Fridays and Sundays.
He said his physical and mental well-being may not be unconnected to his military background, in which the regimental lifestyle had helped him keep in shape and maintain good health.
He added that people who see him say he looked better than he used to while he was president, adding that he was still strong enough to go about his day-to-day business on weekdays.
Buhari also said two issues that received much attention during his tenure as president were the security and economic sectors, adding that his government did what it could to move the country forward.
He confessed that Nigeria was not an easy nation to govern, adding that despite this, some key achievements were recorded by his administration during its eight-year period in power.
In addition, he said he had constructed his Daura home even before heading the then Petroleum Trust Fund, adding that his home in Kaduna State initially had no painting for many years.
He, however, said the painting of his home in Kaduna was made possible by the then Federal Government, even as he commended reporters for the coverage given to his government when he was president.