Nigeria facing most difficult period in history: President Buhari

By Olarewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – Nigeria is experiencing the most difficult time in its history, the country’s president said in his Independence Day address on Friday.

Muhammadu Buhari said growing insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic have hampered Nigeria’s drive for economic stability, but assured citizens of efforts to redress the situation.

Nigeria broke free from British colonial rule on Oct. 1, 1960 after years of political struggle.

The West African country, the most populous one on the continent, has been grappling with a host of challenges over the past two years, including kidnappings, terror attacks, lawlessness, and even agitation for self-determination in some parts.

“The past 18 months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria,” he said, adding that the country has not faced “a period of more heightened challenges” since the civil war from 1967 to 1970.

The president said the escalating insecurity and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the government “to shift gears and re-strategize.”

Speaking about the pandemic, Buhari said Nigeria had managed to avoid the predicted “doomsday scenario.”

“Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future,” he said.

“I appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part.”

On vaccination efforts, Buhari called on the international community to honor its promises of equitable access.

“I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable,” he said.

“We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.”

Buhari also addressed the issue of Twitter being blocked in the country, saying a government team has had “extensive engagements” with the social media giant.

The president declared that he has directed the lifting of the ban – in place since June this year – if “conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.”