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It is public knowledge that the president granting interviews is very rare. It was therefore not shocking to see that this surprising interview has generated strong reactions from Nigerians as ever. A few memorable moments from the Question & Answer session
“I think we have a problem of unemployment; a lot of youth looking for what to eat, problem of accommodation. I think the level of poverty is unimaginable.” -President BuhariThe president was relating the level of poverty and youth unemployment, especially in the North-East region where banditry and terrorism are rife, as one of the major causes of the high recruitment rate of Boko Haram fighters and bandits on the loose. It has been said times without number that there is a direct link between joblessness and youth despair; hence a major reason terrorists are able to recruit that many foot soldiers. Whether the implication, the president insists that the level of insecurity in the two regions of the North-East and the South-South of Nigeria has improved over the years under his administration. The president did not disclose the source of this assertion, neither did he provide further hint (or data) regarding this so-called improved security in those two regions during the discourse.
“We want confidence to be rebuilt, as you observed, people, to go back to their land so that we don’t have food problem.” -President BuhariHowever, it is safe to state that that the president recognises that threats by bandits and terrorists are one of the problems farmers are facing on their farmlands. Therefore, confirming how that insecurity is increasingly contributing to food scarcity in Nigeria.
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On devolution of powers:
“You think the president have a lot of powers…mmmn. “I think the problem of accountability is really important. The seat of government, the local government, state and federal – if things are being run properly, we won’t have all these problems.” -President BuhariParticularly, President Buhari did not directly address the devolution of powers question from the point of view of the central government holding too many powers. However, he redirected the responsibility for restructuring back at the different levels of government rather than a more intentional reduction in federal powers. President Buhari also did not speak about the time his administration will lift the ban on the microblogging platform, Twitter.
“Twitter? That I will keep to myself.” -President BuhariInformation is that Twitter and the government are still negotiating on the terms of lifting the ban after some foreign governments have demanded a return of free speech.
“Nobody is going to invest in an insecure environment. So I told them to tell the youth, that if they want jobs, they should behave themselves. Make sure Nigeria is secure so that people can come and invest.” -President BuhariThe president also acknowledged that if the country is secure, investors will come in and there will be the provision of jobs for the teeming youth community. A portion of the above statement was initially taken out of context to imply the president saying that the youth should behave themselves if they want jobs. But in context, the president was saying that if there is unrest all over the nation, the country itself will appear unattractive to potential investors who could better the lots of the youth. Bottom line: There is a mix of positives and low points in the entirety of the chat session with Arise TV crew. Whether it is good or bad for the legacy of this administration, another angle of the inner workings of the Buhari government has been revealed for Nigerians and the world to see. Featured Image Source: 1stNews
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