Buhari says “we have a great country,” charge Nigerians to appreciate, Nigeria’s situation not dire

President Muhammadu Buhari has compared the situation in Nigeria with that of other countries and reasoned that the country’s condition is not as bad as being portrayed by some people.

Speaking Monday at a State Banquet in Kano to conclude his one-day official visit to the State after inaugurating several projects executed by the Federal and State governments and the private sector, the President, according to a release issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, stressed that “we have a great country but we do not appreciate it until we visit our neighbors and other countries where the preoccupation is for people to have one good meal a day.

‘‘When I fly by helicopter, the number of high-rise buildings I see and the amount of development on the ground are fantastic. We thank God. We thank God. We thank God,’’ he said.

Buhari described ongoing infrastructure development across the country as ‘fantastic’, urging citizens to appreciate what they have as the situation in the country is not dire when compared with other countries.

He urged the elites to encourage and inspire young people to embrace education, saying “whether we like it or not we are going to leave the country for them.

‘‘They must embrace education for education’s sake. Technology has made it possible for shortcuts but nothing can replace real learning. Please encourage the children to learn.

He congratulated Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State for doing very well on infrastructure, adding that his recent State visits to Kogi, Yobe, Lagos, and Katsina have shown that the respective governors have done very well, within the confines of funds available to them.