Buhari’s anti-graft war boosts Nigeria’s image –Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says although President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war is ruffling feathers, the war has boosted the image of the country. Atiku also said the dwindling oil prices were an opportunity for the Federal Government to restructure the nation’s economy and put public finance on a more sustainable level. The former VP said this on Saturday at the 10th Founder’s Day programme of the American University of Nigeria, Yola. Atiku’s speech entitled, “Beyond terrorism: Education and sustainable development,” was published on his website on Sunday. He said, “The economic meltdown that our country is experiencing comes at the worst possible time, but it also forces us to rebalance our economy and to put our public finances on a broader and more sustainable foundation. Our government’s fight against corruption is disrupting business as usual; it is a boost for Nigeria, and for the bright students in our schools and universities. “With the inauguration of the ministers last Wednesday, greater confidence is likely to be reposed in our economy by investors both local and foreign. This will breathe the much-needed life into the economy and get more people gainfully employed.” Atiku said maintaining peace after the Boko Haram war would be harder than winning the war. To this end, he urged the Federal Government to learn from the reconciliation tactics used in the Niger Delta. According to him, the Federal Government’s efforts at restoring peace, reconciliation and reconstruction must transcend borders. Atiku also said that Western education would set the North-East on the path of progress. He said, “We can learn useful lessons from our experiences with the insurgency in the Niger Delta and the reconciliation and reconstruction that followed.”