President Muhammadu Buhari, during a gathering at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, expressed his astonishment at leading Nigeria twice – first as a military Head of State in 1983 and subsequently serving two terms as a civilian President from 2015 to 2023.
In his address to a delegation of approximately 40 children on the occasion of his final Children’s Day celebration as President, Buhari recounted his journey, stating, “As students, we were told that we were the leaders of tomorrow. I never knew that I would one day lead my country, much less lead it twice as a military officer and as a civilian.”
During the event, President Buhari also launched a comic book that highlights seven roles children can play in building the nation.
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, shared details of the gathering in a statement titled “President Buhari hosts children at State House, unveils his comic book on children’s role in nation-building.”
Buhari expressed his satisfaction in interacting with the children on the eve of his departure from office after eight years as President, emphasizing that children are the leaders of tomorrow.
Addressing the children, President Buhari encouraged them to be responsible citizens before assuming leadership positions, stating, “God spared my life to grow up from a child to an adult. As students, we were told that we were the leaders of tomorrow. I never knew that I would one day lead my country, much less lead it twice as a military officer and as a civilian.”
He further conveyed his belief that among the children present were future councillors, lawmakers, governors, and even presidents. However, he emphasized the importance of being good citizens before assuming leadership roles.
Buhari reminded the children of their ultimate destiny, remarking, “The country is going to be in your hands one day. We are not going to import foreigners to come and run our country. We must do that ourselves. When we say the future of the country is in your hands, we are not doing you any favor. It is a fact of life.”
The President also discussed the values of honesty, patriotism, and unity in building a peaceful and prosperous nation. He encouraged the children to embody these qualities from a young age, stressing that building a better Nigeria starts with them.
The comic book titled “How To Make Nigeria Great” highlights seven essential lessons for shaping the future of the nation. These lessons include belief in God and love for Nigeria, understanding and respecting differences, adherence to rules, collective thinking, embracing good values, considering government funds as national resources, and being responsible individuals both at home and in school.
President Buhari expressed his gratitude to the children for their time and concluded his speech by reiterating a statement he made over four decades ago: “We have no other country but Nigeria. We will stay here and salvage it together.”
As President Buhari concludes his tenure, he leaves behind a message of hope and inspiration for the future generation, underscoring the significance of their roles in shaping a prosperous and united Nigeria.
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