The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. “There was a deliberate attempt to destroy Nigeria but God did not permit it,’’ Buhari said at the palace of the Emir of Damaturu, Hashimi II El-Kanemi. This is according to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. Expressing delight at the return of normalcy in Yobe State and Northeast Nigeria, the President thanked Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and his Borno State counterpart, Prof Babagana Zulum, for their persistence in reconstructing schools, health centres and institutions destroyed by the misguided terrorists. He noted that ‘‘there was a deliberate attempt to destroy Nigeria but God did not permit it,’’ adding that “God has helped Nigeria to bounce back.”He also commended members of the Armed Forces and the Police for their sacrifices in protecting the country.

Source: Punch January 10, 2023 09:57 UTC