Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State has called on Nigerians to keep faith and truth in President Muhammad Buhari, saying that the present federal government is determined to make life better and meaningful for Nigerians.
The governor stated this on Thursday while paying host to the Committee on South-West Youth and Women Sensitisation Programme led by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Katsina state, Hajia Mariya Buhari Munir who paid a courtesy visit to him at the government house in Osogbo.
Aregbesola while appealing to Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari led administration, stressed that despite the challenges Nigerians are facing, there is still light at the end of the tunnel because they have a president who can be trusted.
He said the damage inherited by President Buhari is not such that can be repaired in just one or two years, explaining that the nation would have experienced serious doom if the present administration had not come the time it did.
The governor described President Buhari as a partner in progress and a pillar of strength and support to many states at time when they could not finance themselves, sighting the various assistance in form of bail-outs, the Paris Club refund and others which helped the states to find their feet.
Aregbesola said: “For whoever that has grievances with the present federal government, I want you to know that it is not always easy to correct an already damaged situation. It is obvious that there are challenges and pains, but I want us to see it as the challenge of building a new Nigeria.
“We should accept the hardships we are facing now as the price to pay for building the new Nigeria of our dreams, that country where everything will work the way it ought to is what our president is working hard to achieve. We shall get there and we shall all be better for it.
“We cannot give up on Nigeria at this time, we are almost there, let’s have faith in our president, we can do it and I know it is possible. Nigeria is redeemable and the process has already started with the present administration.
“Our president came at time when most states of the federation were going bankrupt, he came and stretched the hand of assistance in form of bail-outs and the refund of Paris club loans to states in the country which made them find their feet again.
“President Buhari has always been a partner in progress for all the states of the federation, he has been a mentor and pillar of support and strength for us in times of need.”
Pledging the continued support of the state for the Buhari led administration, Aregbesola stated that Osun remains the base of progressive politics in Nigeria because the people have enough reasons to always stay with the party over the years.
He said: “The All Progressives Congress is very strong in Osun and it is not just a bogus claim, our people understand why they must be with us. Osun is the most supportive base of Buhari and Osinbajo in the South West and the entire country.”
In her address, Hajia Munir said: “I want to sincerely appreciate the governor of Osun for always being at the forefront of moving the south west forward, I am aware that Aregbesola has already laid a foundation for what we have come to do in the south west.
“The empowerment of women and youths cannot be overemphasized because they are very important in the society, we want our governors to continue to support any move that will help the progress of women and youths in our society the way Aregbesola has been doing.”
Packaged by Rahman Salami
