30th January, 2023
By Aminu Garko/Kano
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday said some international groups are behind Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
It was the first time Buhari would blame external influences for the insurgency that began in 2009.
Buhari spoke during a Presidential lunch organized for him by the Kano State Government at the end of his visit on Monday.
” When we came to power in 2015, Boko Haram was in control in 13 of the 17 Local Government Areas of Borno state as only four were in control of the government then.
Buhari told the gathering that he suspected there’s an international group that wanted to destroy Nigeria.
“If not, how can Boko (western education) be Haram? They have come and stopped us from tapping our resources from Lake Chad.
“But we have managed to show Nigerians and the rest of the world that we have so many natural resources there”,he said
” We have to pray harder and thank God, we fight for our land from the international groups that are trying to destroy Nigeria.
” We are very lucky that this government has done well and Governor Zulum of Borno state, who has done extremely well.
” I have a story to share with you that somebody told me. That a permanent secretary was at home when someone called him that the Governor Zulum was in his office.
” I am very happy that Nigerians have shown me support. They identify with me and I identify with them.
Buhari also told the gathering “, I want you to recall that between 1999 and 2015 the NNPC production was 2.1 billion barrels a day at the cost of 100 dollar per barrel.
“So Nigeria was earning 100 dollars per barrel and it was producing 2.1 million barrels per day. But look at our infrastructure.
He explained that those in charge in those years were going around not only Nigeria but the world saying they are wonderful but they cannot explain what they have done.
But the cost of petroleum today has gone down to about 87 dollars per barrel while only 1.5 million barrels is produced and yet we have put in place a lot of infrastructures.
“Looking at what we have been able to do. I assure you that we have a wonderful country.
“I have been a governor, I have been a minister and I have been a head of state. I fought in the civil war.
“We have to thank God with what we have in the country today”,The President said.
Gov Abdullahu Ganduje appreciated President Buhari for identifying with the good people of Kano state.