President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has delivered on most of its campaign promises made to Nigerians in 2015, especially in the areas of the economy, insecurity and the fight against corruption.
Buhari spoke through the Minister of State for Education, Mr Goodluck Opiah, on Saturday at the Seventh Convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti.
The president said his campaign promises were based on enhancing economy, improving security and anti-corruption fight, adding he was fulfilled that huge successes were recorded in the three fundamental areas.
He said his administration had also set Nigeria on irreversible paths of greatness, through the implementation of masses-centric policies.
“Let me remind us all that my campaign to become president in 2015 was built on the promise to improve the security, strengthen economy and combat corruption.
“It is with immense gratitude to Almighty Allah that I make a bold to say that we have delivered on the three promises.
“At my inauguration, the country was practically under the siege of terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
“With every sense of responsibility, I want to state boldly that the war against terrorism has been fought and won, as all the territories lost to these groups have been reclaimed. And terrorism in Nigeria today is breathing its last breath,” he said.
According to him, it is also noteworthy that under my watch, Nigeria rose from the brackish waters of near-economic collapse to later become acknowledged, as the largest economy on the African continent.
“This is no mean feat. It is not a given. It can only be the result of well-orchestrated developmental plan.
“Corruption also held the country by the jugular before I assumed office in 2015.
“It is also an acknowledged fact that the policies of my administration, including the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA), the whistle blowing policy and the intensification of prosecution by anti-corruption agencies have rolled back the tide of corruption in the country.
“While it is an impossibility to channel all the available funds in the country to the education sector, it is a matter of public knowledge that my administration, since its inception in May 29, 2015, has been incrementally increasing funding to the sector in its yearly budgets,” the president said.
Buhari added that his administration, apart from the three fundamental areas, had also revamped the education sector, through increased funding, for human capital and infrastructure development.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, appreciated God for His care and guide on the institution’s community, as well as that of the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff members and students, in the last two years of his administration.
Fasina said that his achievements were as a result of determination to build a world class university and the support of his numerous colleagues, friends and traditional rulers in the host communities.
He commended the trio of Chief Wole Olanipekun, Mr Olabisi Onasanya and Segun Odegbami for the giant strides they had recorded in their various areas of callings.
“Today, is our 7th convocation ceremony. In FUOYE, we are lovers of people who devote their lives to helping humanity to grow and create opportunities to help others in need.
“This was why we have carefully chosen these three unique individuals for the Honorary Doctorate Awards,” he said.
The university conferred honorary Doctorate Degree in Constitutional Law on Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the Chairman, Body of Benchers and former NBA President, while Honorary Doctorate Degree in Finance, was conferred on Mr Olabisi Onasanya, a former Managing Director of First Bank.
Also, a football legend, Chief Segun Odegbami and former Captain of the Super Eagles, was awarded the Doctorate Degree in Sports and Human Kinetics.
The Chancellor of the university, also the Attah Igala, Alhaji Mathew Opaluwa, performed the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate Degrees on the personalities.
The university also appointed Olanipekun as a Visiting Professor of Constitutional Law to the institution.
Responding on behalf of other recipients Olanipekun, said they were overwhelmed to be honoured by the university authorities.
He noted that he was a fan of Odegbami when he was playing for the Super Eagles and always placed betting on him that he would score, whenever Nigeria was playing other countries.
Olanipekun, who also described Onasanya as an honest and humble person, said he had known him for many years, as a decent person.
“I am bold to say that I am a child of grace. I never apply to be honoured in FUOYE, but it is the grace of God upon my life.
“As God liveth, I, Onasanya and Odegbami will continually support the development of the university,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr Lawan Yahuza, the Chairman, University Governing Council, congratulated the recipients of the university’s awards of Doctoral Honoris Causa.
Yahuza commended them for their unflinching commitments to human empowerment and nation building.
He urged them to give the university management total support to enhance the growth and development of the university.
(NAN)
