Buratai Urges Nigerians to Back President Tinubu’s Reforms for National Growth
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai, has called on Nigerians to fully support President Bola Tinubu as he reorganizes the government to improve the nation’s infrastructure and deliver on the promises of democracy.
General Buratai who was represented by his Special Advisor and Director, Research and Documentation, Tukur Buratai Research Centre, Dr Abubakar Mohammed Sani made remarks during the 8th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at the Reverton Hotel, Lokoja on Thursday.
Buratai expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to spearhead reforms, particularly in the power sector, which he identified as vital for Nigeria’s economic progress.
“I am optimistic that President Tinubu will revamp the power sector and other key sectors to foster sustainable growth.
“Nigerians must come together to support the government in achieving these goals,” he urged.
General Buratai emphasizing 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 in insecurity, power deficits, and the need for digital transformation, all of which require strategic leadership and robust policy execution.
The power deficit he said, with installed capacity at 12,522MW, far below the required 98,000MW, exacerbates energy poverty. This results in only 40% of the population having access to electricity, with erratic supply and prolonged outages.
“As Nigeria continues to confront pervasive insecurity that undermines social cohesion and economic development, the dialogue surrounding effective strategies to mitigate these threats is crucial,” the former army Chief said.
Also speaking former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Yusuf Mamman sounded the alarm on the unregulated use of social media, citing it as a significant threat to national security.
He emphasized the urgent need to protect morality and sanity in the digital space.
Mamman urged GOCOP to harness the power of new media for the betterment of Nigeria. “By leveraging social media responsibly, GOCOP can promote positive development and counterbalance the negative impacts of unguided online activities,” Mamman stressed.
In his remarks, a former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, identified key factors contributing to insecurity in Nigeria as, poverty and youth unemployment.
He added that weak governance and corruption exacerbate the problem, as corrupt practices and ineffective institutions fail to address security challenges effectively.
“The small arms among non-state actors has reached alarming levels, with more arms in circulation than ever before,” he said.
Imoke commended the successes achieved by Operation Lafiya Dole set it by General Buratai in combating Boko Haram insurgency.
Citing the global terrorism index, he noted a 40% decline in Boko Haram’s activities, indicating a significant reduction in their influence.
Imoke advocated for a multi-faceted approach in order to address insecurity Nigeria face.
He emphasized the importance of adequate funding for security operations, as well as engaging in dialogue to resolve conflicts and address underlying issues.
