Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

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As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls, I have made one final international visit before the election, to London.

In my capacity as President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Relations & Diaspora, I have been speaking to members of the Nigerian Community in the UK about the upcoming election, about relations between our two countries, and about why they will be supporting President Buhari on the 16th February.

As Senior Special Assistant I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and visit influential Nigerians across the diaspora, but my visits to London are always among the most special of all. Partly because of the unique historical and cultural bond that continues to underpin Nigeria’s relationship with the UK, but also on a more personal level; it is the warm welcome that I receive from the Nigerian community in the UK, who are some of the most positive, active, and vibrant representatives that our great nation has, that makes the visit so special.

The House of Commons is now home to seven Members of Parliament of Nigerian descent, there are several A-List British actors who speak about their Nigerian roots with pride, including Star Wars’ John Boyega. The UK is lucky to be the home of top Nigerian academics, such as Professor Imafidion with the mastery of training and creating geniuses. And some of Britain’s most decorated athletes, too, carry with dignity both their accomplishments and their Nigerian heritage. Unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has a tattoo of Africa, with Nigeria clearly outlined, etched into his left shoulder.

I was in London to ensure that regardless of the outcome of the election next month, these relationships continue to grow from strength to strength. During my trip, I was interviewed on prominent media channels, including Sky News, held meetings with influential think-tanks and hosted at the Houses of Parliament by Chi Onwurah MP, Kate Osamor MP, and Baroness Udin from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Africa and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Nigeria. Most importantly, I have been engaging with members of the Nigerian Diaspora on the topics that really matter to them.

During my visit, I have spent time with the All Progressives Congress UK Branch – who have been working tirelessly in the U.K., and Nigeria, to secure President Buhari’s re-election. Whilst in London, I attended an event co-hosted by APC UK and Together Nigeria, an independent advocacy group supporting the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, of which I am First Ambassador. The message of Together Nigeria was brought to the UK – let’s keep moving forward, and vote on the facts! The event brought in Buhari-supporters from all over London, to celebrate the successes of the past four years. Their passion was infectious.

Throughout the election campaign, these activists have been highlighting the achievements of President Buhari, using their popular social media channels, and most recently, they have sent delegations to Nigeria to join the campaign trail all over the country.

Though the millions of Nigerians abroad cannot currently vote in the elections, the diaspora still have an absolutely vital and influential role to play in mobilising their relatives and friends back home to support the right candidates. The diaspora remit at least $23 billion to Nigeria every year, they should not and cannot be ignored. As for members of the diaspora who are elsewhere in Africa and still registered to vote at home, I encourage them to commit the time and resources to keep Nigeria moving forward under President Buhari.

Around the world, Nigerians have applauded President Buhari’s efforts to tackle corruption and make Nigeria a more prosperous and viable destination for international business. British-Nigerians, amongst others, have sought to support their President as much as possible in his efforts to recover money where it has been unlawfully taken to Western Countries.

Since his election in 2015, President Buhari has committed to tackling corruption head on. As we well know, when corruption is fought, corruption fights back; but this has not deterred our President from his anti-corruption mission.

This has been recognised both within Nigeria, and internationally. President Buhari has been recognised by his fellow African Union members as Africa’s “anti-corruption champion”, and Nigerians in the diaspora are excited by the impact that this work has had on the perception of Nigeria in the international arena. Under the Buhari-led administration the World Bank has recognised these efforts, and Nigeria has risen 24 places in the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings.

During the election campaign, the overwhelming message I have received from members of the Nigerian Diaspora is that we must allow President Buhari to consolidate the progress he has made, we must give him the platform he needs to take the right steps and help us all to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

Now, more than at any moment in Nigeria’s political history, we need stability, accountability, and continued growth. In order to achieve this, we need four more years of President Buhari.

The Buhari Volunteers Network (BVN) has initiated a round table discussion across the country in a bid to interact with students and the civil society on the need to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

Mr Olayemi Success, National Coordinator, BVN, in a statement on Tuesday said the group had taken note of the achievements of the president and had decided to sell them to the public.

“Buhari Volunteers Network is the Network of young people and professionals with firm belief in everything President Muhammadu Buhari represents, including his achievements, integrity, style of leadership and his anti-corruption stands.

“Our aim is to see him re-elected as the President of Nigeria on Feb. 16,” the statement quoted Success as saying.

According to Success series of activities including media talk shows, rallies and Round Table discussion with major stakeholders amongst the students, the youths and civil society, are the strategies adopted for the campaign.

He listed some of the achievements of the current administration, noting that no other candidate would be able to match what President Buhari had achieved in less than four years.

Success also said in the statement: “Our strategy is to basically showcase the achievements of this government in the last three and half years with facts, figures and reality on ground.

“Furthermore, we compare and contrast among the available options.

“Without any doubt, the fight against corruption is yielding results already to the extent that the image of our dear nation in the international community has greatly improved.

“Many countries that were not willing are now eager to do business and invest in Nigeria.

“People are more ready than ever to do things or serve the nation with integrity knowing that if one is caught in corruption he or she will be dealt with irrespective of status, religion or tribe.

“The infrastructural development in today’s Nigeria is unequalled, ranging from roads and rail to power, and many more are wearing new and highly improved look across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“Surprisingly and unbelievably, queues in our fuel stations especially during festive periods have completely vanished not just from the cities alone but at every nook and cranny of the nation.

“We are sure that this achievement alone must have offended many corrupt elements in the society who will wish the continuation of the old order.”

He expressed optimism that the round table which held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the week would move to South-East and South-South before the end of campaigns in line with INEC’s campaigns timetable.

NAN

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The wife of the President,  Aisha Buhari has called on South-South youths to resist the temptation of being used as political thugs but rather vote and ensure that their votes are counted.

Aisha gave this charge on Wednesday in Port Harcourt at the South-South Women and Youth presidential campaign organized by the foundation for Female Empowerment in collaboration with the Coalition of Female Founders and Leaders of NGOs, CBOs, CSOs and FBOs in the Niger Delta.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo told the cheering crowd that the present administration was interested in the women and youth in the region.

Aisha explained that, that was why the government had engaged more in the home-grown school feeding program, -Power program among others for the people of the region.

She said the present administration is also helping in granting small loan for business owners as they are putting together policies to ensure the ease of doing business in the country.

“That is why the APC government is working day and night for the development of Nigeria. I want you to talk to 5 to 10 people to vote for APC,” she said.

She urged them to come out in their numbers and vote for the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the party is ready to carry them along.

Also canvassing for votes for the ruling party, the wife of the Minister for Transportation, Dame Judith Amaechi stated that President Mohammudu Buhari has done a lot in the South-South that will speak for itself.

“They are too numerous to mention and in the past, these are some of the things that we begged for”

“I see a government that has structure and focus in place to deliver his people and wants to make a difference “

“We know Buhari can give us the security we want in the South-South,”

“We are here to see how women can be placed in positions and how youth can have a say in the society,” she said.

Amaechi commended the First Lady on the issue of women and youth empowerment, noting that she has done something noble.

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