Brave Dickson
As the nation marks its 62nd Independence Anniversary, some Muslims have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the lingering insecurity bedeviling the country within the remaining months of his administration.
In his Independence Day message, the Vice President-General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Uhor said, “if Buhari can use his remaining months in office to address insecurity, it will be a parting gift for the country.
“In course of tackling insecurity, he (Buhari) should not forget to prioritize the arrest and prosecution of those sponsoring terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft in the country.
“Because the only way justice and succour can be given to those whose loved ones had been victims of violent crimes is to put crime sponsors behind bars.
“Another thing Buhari should also ensure before leaving office, is to make sure that all the country’s refineries are functioning.
“I wouldn’t want to believe that the money government spends on turn around maintenance of the nation’s refineries is true.
“Beyond turn around maintenance, we want to see the refineries working in full capacity.
“Some highly placed Nigerians have sabotaged the refineries so badly for the interest of their personal pockets at the expense of the entire nation.
“Buhari should use the refineries to prove to Nigerians that his administration means well for this country by ensuring that nothing stops the refineries from working.”
CHRONOLOGIES OF PAST PRESIDENTS AND HEADS OF STATE WITH THE PERIOD THEY SERVED
1 ALHAJI ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA 1960 – 1966
2 CHIEF BENJAMIN NNAMDI AZIKIWE OCTOBER 1, 1963 – JANUARY 16, 1966
3 MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI IRONSI JANUARY 16, 1966 – JULY 29, 1966
4 GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON AUGUST 1, 1966 – JULY 29, 1975
5 GENERAL MURTALA RAMAT MOHAMMED JULY 29, 1975 – FEBRUARY 13, 1976
6 GENERAL OLUSEGUN AREMU OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO FEBRUARY 13, 1976 – OCTOBER 1, 1979
7 SHEHU USMAN ALIYU SHAGARI OCTOBER 1, 1979 – DECEMBER 31, 1983
8 MAJOR-GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI DECEMBER 31, 1983 – AUGUST 27, 1985
9 GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA AUGUST 27, 1985 – AUGUST 27, 1993
10 CHIEF ERNEST ADEKUNLE OLADEINDE SHONEKAN AUGUST 26, 1993 – NOVEMBER 17, 1993
11 GENERAL SANI ABACHA NOVEMBER 17, 1993 – JUNE 8, 1998
12 GENERAL ABDULSALAMI ALHAJI ABUBAKAR JUNE 9, 1998 – MAY 29, 1999
13 GENERAL OLUSEGUN AREMU OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO (RTD) MAY 29, 1999 – 29 MAY, 2007
14 UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA 29 MAY, 2007 – 5 MAY, 2010
15 DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN 6 MAY, 2010 – 29 MAY, 2015
16 MUHAMMADU BUHARI 29 MAY, 2015 – DATE
