Read Buhari’s Full Speech At The Leadership 2015 Persons Of The Year Award

Read his full speech below:

“Let me hasten to congratulate my joint award winners, my predecessor His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR and Prof. Muhammadu Attahiru Jega, the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission as leadership persons of the year.

“The events of 2015 which the leadership newspaper has chosen to bring to the fore today marked a watershed in the political history of our country.

“Some of us who are participating actors in the election were led by the higher ideal of the future of our great country and the well-being of our people rather than the mere desire of politicians to win elections, it is therefore our commitment to this ideal patriotism of President Jonathan, the participation of the electoral empire INEC and exemplary conduct of the political parties, foreign pressure and other actors, that we collectively disappointed the prophets of doom who have predicted the integration of the country after the 2015 general elections.

“The honour being done to us today is yet another public acknowledgement of our various roles and contributions towards the national rebirth and development of democracy in the country.

“We are humbled by this honour which has inspired us to redouble our commitment to the progress of democracy and development of the country.

“I wish to facilitate with all the award winners for the recognition accorded them by the Leadership Newspaper. It is my fervent hope that the award will encourage all those recognized to remain committed with good behavior in their various endeavours to justify this recognition and serve as inspiration for others.

“The Leadership Newspaper have been in the forefront of promoting democracy and positive values that are necessary to achieve national consensus on the issues that tend to challenge our unity and progress as a nation.

“We commend the Leadership Newspaper Group and its publisher for standing firm on the part of patriotism, justice and fairness.

“Our participation in today’s ceremony is therefore a mark of confidence and a friend of journalism practiced by the Leadership Newspaper group and it is a public acknowledgement of the contribution of the media in our administrations agenda to defeat terrorism and violent extremism in the country, fight corruption and diversify the economy, to create job for our population and generally improve the standard of living of all Nigerians.

“I expect the Nigerian media to join our government in the pursuit of these goals not just to criticize to prove their independence, the media must continually see itself as true partner in the task of nation building and thus act in the secret of patriotism at all times in the important role of informing the people of the country.

“On our part, our doors are wide open to media enquiries in line with the transparency and anti-corruption stance of our administration.

“Once again, I congratulate the award winners today and thank the Leadership Newspaper Group for the honour done to us, I thank you for your attention.”