JUST IN: I know Nigeria’s challenges has gathered enough experience to address them – Atiku

The Presidential Candidate of  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President , Alhaji  Atiku Abubakar has said he knows the challenges of Nigeria and has  gathered enough experience to address the challenges.

He reiterated that building economic prosperity in Nigeria will be a mirage without unity and national security.

The Wazirin Adamawa assured that if elected president, he will develop Nigeria, build a dynamic economy for prosperity, restore Nigeria’s unity and strengthen the security apparatus.

He spoke at an interractive session organized by the Arewa Joint Committee made up of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa House (Center for Historical Development and Research) and Arewa Research and Documentation Project (ARDP) in Kaduna on Saturday.

According to him, Northern Nigeria’s  current social and economic challenges calls for sobber reflection, adding that “as a country we must build consensus with a prosperity restoration with strong commitment and initiatives..”

” I am committed to articulate and implement transformation and development agenda of a united, secure and prosperous country,” he said.

He said Nigeria’s unity has never been threatened like now with an increasing number of Nigerian citizens openly challenge their allegiance to Nigeria’s corporate existience through violent agitations and misguided demand for ethno-regional autonomy because of widespread feelings of marginalization and neglect.

“Nigeria has never been overwhelmed by insecurity in all parts of the country. Sadly we have reached a point where the functions of the state have been usurped by separatists, bandits insurgents and terriorists.”

“Despite her vast resources, Nigeria has remained one of the poorest and unequal countries in the world. Our economy is fragile and vulnerable. Jobs loses, eroding incomes and lack of citizen’s access to basic amenities have pushed more than 90 million people below the poverty line.”

“The public education system is ill equipped and has consistently under performed keeping millions of our children out of school and producing graduates with skills and competencies which are not aligned to the needs of our communication and our industries.”

“Incessant Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities( ASUU) and other unions of educational institutions has undoubtedly affected the quality of our workforce with far reaching consequences on the economy.”

“Nigeria has continued to affect a faulty, complex Federal structure with a high degree of centralization at the center. The Federal government has succeeded in accumulating many responsibilities which belongs to the other weaker levels of government, the Federal government appreciates along with these responsibilities, huge resources to the detriment of the states and local governments”.

“I know the challenges of Nigeria and I have gathered enough experience to address the challenges.”

He therefore appealed to be given the opportunity to bring his wealth of experience to bare  and provide good governance for the Nigeria.