By Odoh Michael
First, an open letter
Dear Sir,
Let me first use this meduim to welcome you back to Nigeria after 103 days in the United Kingdom for medical treatment on your illness. Nobody is immune to sickness because we are humans and do not have control over our health status.
Thank God for his mercies on your life. When I heard the news of your return and that you were going to address the nation on the 21st of August, 2017, I was very happy and wanted to hear what you will say because you have given two lovely speeches in the past that I now read daily to constantly remind myself of the Nigerian dream.
The first one was the speech you gave during your campaign period at the Chatham House, London, UK, and the second one was during your inauguration as President. I must say sir that I am totally disappointed with your address today.
I see your speech today as a work of your media team and the so-called cabals in the presidency to show Nigerians that you are still incharge. Well, they are doing their job. Sir, your speech did not address any of the present problems facing Nigeria. It was only full of what the presidency wants and not what Nigerians want. Sir, you are always known for saying the truth like the last time you said that those who gave you 5 percent vote will not enjoy what those who gave you 97 percent will. You also said that Nigerians are very corrupt and that your wife belongs to your kitchen and the other room.
Today, I expected you to also tell us what kind of treatment you recieved abroad and how much was spent, but you did not say it. This is unlike you, sir. If I was the President or if I was a presidential speech writer, this would have been my address sir.
MY PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH
Fellow Nigerians, I am very happy to once again address you this day 21st of August, 2017, following my return from the United Knigdom where I have been receiving medical treatment for the past 103 days. It is by your prayers and the grace of the Almighty God that I am here with you. I wish to begin this address by thanking every Nigerian who has prayed for my quick recovery and also to appeal to all those who have lost faith in my government to be patient with me and join hands with my government to fix this country. I cannot do it alone.
I wish to thank the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo for holding fort in my absense and for doing a very wonderful job in line with this administration’s goals. I also want to thank the National Assembly, the judiciary, my cabinet members, our security forces and all Nigerians who despite my long absense did give up on their daily tasks and for having faith in my government.
I have never been this sick in my entire life but being sick is a human condition and while I pray that sickness does not befall our worst enemies, I want to say that it is a shame that I had to travel abroad for medical treatment when we have the resources to improve ours in Nigeria but due to bad governance of the past, we have not done so. I want to assure all Nigerians that my government will do better to improve our health care system and make sure that no other President after me will travel abroad for medical treatment; instead other world leaders will visit us for such.
I want to apologize for my failure to end medical tourism two years after I was elected President and also for all the promise I made which are yet to be fulfilled. I did not expect a quick fix but be rest assured that my government is working hard to deliver on all our promises before our mandate expires in 2019. I welcome your criticisms both on main stream and social media. This is a sign that Nigerians are becoming more aware of their political environment. This is the beauty of democracy and I will not forget the fact that my party and I are products of the social media camapign for good governance and justice in Nigeria.
During my stay in the United Kingdom, I read that the United Kingdom will end the use of petrol cars by 2040. This is a wake up to my government that we must diversify our economy as a matter of urgency and move away from oil. Those clamoring for restructuring, your calls have been heard and we know that we must restructure Nigeria if are to diversify our economy and that is why I am setting up a committee on restructuring to meet with the various agitating groups, traditional leaders, state governors and come up with a report which will be studied and sent to the National Assembly for delibration. The reason for this is because Nigeria is indivisible but our unity is negotiable. We as a people must sit down to discuss how we want to live if we are to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.
Personally, this period of ailment has been a period of sober reflection for me. I will not always be with you but Nigeria will always be with you so we must join hands to make Nigeria great. We must change the way we do things in Nigeria because change is not about fighting the old but creating a new way of doing things. I have come back with a renewed commitment to leave a better nation than what I met. I have watched Nigeria from the outside and seen that nothing is working and that is why we need to sit down and articulate the blue print of how to make Nigeria work again.
I want a united Nigeria where all are treated fairly and equally. A Nigeria where justice, peace and security is our hall mark. A Nigeria that will once again be the giant of Africa and the head of the black race. We must radically transform this country if we want it to survive. I wont be around always but my job is to make sure that as long as I remain president, we will have a Nigeria that is equitable for all.
My generation has played its part and we must begin to engage the next generation, to prepare them to take over and I have no doubt that we will overcome. We must join hands together to fight the ills of our society because Our Mumu Don Do.
Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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