Buhari holds maiden presidential media chat
Here's a summary of the maiden presidential media chat held by President Muhammadu Buhari:
Date: July 27, 2015 Location: State House, Abuja, Nigeria Duration: About 1 hour and 45 minutes
Key Highlights:
- Economic Challenges: President Buhari acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country, including the decline in oil prices, and promised to diversify the economy to reduce dependence on oil.
- Corruption: He reiterated his commitment to tackling corruption, saying that his administration would not tolerate corrupt practices and would ensure that those found guilty are brought to justice.
- Security: President Buhari discussed the security challenges facing the country, including the Boko Haram insurgency, and assured Nigerians that his administration would do everything possible to protect the country and its citizens.
- Infrastructure Development: He emphasized the importance of infrastructure development, including road construction, power generation, and transportation, and promised to prioritize these areas in his administration.
- Reforms: President Buhari announced plans to reform various sectors, including the judiciary, education, and healthcare, to make them more efficient and effective.
- Transparency: He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, saying that his administration would be transparent in its dealings and would ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of all Nigerians.
- International Relations: President Buhari discussed Nigeria's relations with other countries, including the United States, China, and the European Union, and emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with other nations to promote peace, stability, and economic development.
Quotes:
- "We are not going to tolerate corruption. We are going to fight it with all our might."
- "We are going to diversify our economy. We are not going to rely on oil alone."
- "We are going to build infrastructure. We are going to build roads, we are going to build power plants, we are going to build transportation systems."
- "We are going to reform our institutions. We are going to make them more efficient, more effective."
Reactions:
The maiden presidential media chat was widely covered in the Nigerian media, with many analysts and commentators praising President Buhari for his candor and willingness to engage with the public. Some critics, however, expressed disappointment that the President did not provide more specific details on his plans and policies. Overall, the chat was seen as a positive step towards increasing transparency and accountability in governance.