The media chat, which was live on Channels Televison and other
broadcast stations, saw the President fielding questions on a range of
burning national issues from a panel of journalists. Issues of security, the fight against corruption and the state of the
economy dominated the conversation as the media panel, led by Channels
TV’s Kayode Akintemi asked the President questions on efforts to defeat
the Boko Haram sect, the rescue of the adopted Chibok schoolgirls, and the recent clash between soldiers and the Shiite Islamic sect.
President Buhari expressed satisfaction in the progress made by the
Nigerian military, adding that the deadline given them had been largely
met as the sect has been greatly reduced to suicide bombings of soft
targets unlike their audacious attacks on military barracks, police
posts, and government offices, taking territories in the process.
He condemned the continued use of teenage girls as suicide bombers
and hinted that a ban on the use of hijab might be considered if the
outfit continues to aid the suicide bombers as higher value has to be
placed on the lives of Nigerians.
The President also used the platform to defend areas of the 2016
budget that have been generating criticism in the media, explaining the
rationale behind allocations to each sector of the economy.
He believes he is on the right track by making infrastructure the
priority. He reiterated his administration’s determination to make
steady power available to Nigeria as soon as possible.
According to President Buhari, “We need steady power, railway, roads
so that local industry can develop” as this is the best way to develop
the economy.
On his determination to fight corruption, President Buhari insisted that he remained committed to the mission to see that looters of Nigeria’s wealth end up in the courts.
There had been some condemnation of the anti-corruption campaign with
some Nigerians alleging that the President is biased but the President
insisted that prosecution can only be based on evidences as he believes
in facts.
In response to insinuation that members of his cabinet might also be
corrupt, he said, “I don’t think I picked anybody (as Minister) that I
know will embarrass my government.
“If you have got any evidence about any of my Ministers I accept
responsibility and you have the right as a Nigerian to take them to
court.”
He promised that by the end of first quarter of 2016, his
administration “will be kept busy informing Nigerians what progress has
been made” in the fight against corruption.
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent ban on the use of Naira debit
cards overseas also came to the fore as the panelists informed the
President of Nigerians’ complaints of the hardship this has caused and
the negative effects it is having on students, citizens seeking medical
services and small business owners who engage in international trade.
President Buhari admitted that this new policy would indeed have some
negative effects as he was also aware of some of the issues. He said
that he expects the CBN to come up with some measures to reduce the
hardship on Nigerians, especially those schooling or getting medical
attention abroad.
The chat closed with President Buhari challenging the Nigerian media
to engage in more investigative journalism as this would help the drive
to change Nigeria for better.
The Presidential Media Chat has remained a major platform through
which every past Nigerian president, beginning with the return of
democracy in 1999, has kept Nigerians abreast of government’s
activities.
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