Philip Emeagwali Among The Top 10 Most Intelligent People In The World With 190

Chief Geoffrey Onyeama reveals Buhari is Nigeria's strongest brand, as APC speaks on president's plot for Nigeria's economy

- President Muhammadu Buhari is Nigeria's strongest brand says Chief Geoffrey Onyeama

- The minister of foreign affairs says Nigeria has to improve its credibility in the international community

- Onyeama says President Buhari is highly regarded in the community of nations

- APC has revealed that Buhari will continue to roll out palliatives to cushion the pains of economic hardship

- The party hailed what it described as exemplary conduct and professionalism displayed by security and allied agencies, particularly the Police, during protest by members of some civil society groups and celebrities for and against the government

Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of foreign affairs, says that President Muhammadu Buhari is the ‘strongest brand’ the country currently has to improve on its credibility.

The Punch reports that Onyeama made this known when he addressed newsmen in Eke, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Thursday, February 9.

Chief Geoffrey Onyeama reveals Buhari is Nigeria's strongest brand, as APC speaks on president's plot for Nigeria's economy

According to him, the credibility of the nation has relatively improved since the inception of Buhari’s administration.

He, however, said that the improvement was basically because of the reputation of the president.

The minister said that the international community had high regards for the president whose anti-corruption posture had made impressions on them.

He said, “The nation’s credibility before the international community has improved but I think it is mainly because of the person of the president.

“The international community is very impressed with the president’s records so far.

“He has a track record of real integrity and that is why they are responding so positively to our economic, security and anti-corruption initiatives.

“So, the strongest brand Nigeria has at the moment is President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Onyeama said that the gulf countries and other world leaders had realised that African countries needed leaders with impeccable integrity to drive development in their countries.

The minister said that what the country needed was a peaceful revolution where the masses would become the bosses.

He said that the All Progressives Congress had initiated such revolution as government officials were really there to work for the masses.

He said, “Things are difficult but the people are seeing that the government is determined to bring in full change.

“They are seeing notwithstanding the economic difficulties that this is a government that is people-centred.

“It is not about self-enrichment or carting away millions of money belonging to the people out of the country.”

The minister said that the current administration was after investing in the people, infrastructure and creating jobs.

He said: “The APC is a progressive party and many people are beginning to buy into that narrative.

“It will be very easy for government to just go borrow money and get the country into huge amount of debt which will not be good for generations to come.”

Onyeama said that the Federal Government was making serious efforts to restructure the economy and move it away from an oil dependent one.

In a similar vein, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to roll out palliatives to cushion the pains of economic hardship.

A statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in Abuja, appealed to the citizenry to remain steadfast in the face of challenges.

APC said this in reaction to demonstrations across the country by labour, civil society groups and the masses against economic hardship.

APC assured that, “there is light at the end of the tunnel,” adding that “there can be no gains without pains.”

The party hailed what it described as exemplary conduct and professionalism displayed by security and allied agencies, particularly the Police, during Monday’s protest by members of some civil society groups and celebrities for and against the government.

It said: “The freedom to protest peacefully is a democratic right and the APC will continue to defend the rights of Nigerians to express their democratic rights, no matter how they choose to within the ambits of the law.

“As we continue to consolidate our democracy, the APC urges our security agencies to continue to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism at all times even as they continue to discharge their constitutional duties of protecting the lives and properties of citizens.”