By TIMOTHY CHOJI, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will overcome the coronavirus pandemic and bounce back on her feet.

The President made the pledge in a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians, to mark the 2020 Democracy Day.

President Buhari said although COVID-19 is ravaging Nigeria and the rest of the world, the country will surmount the challenge and come out stronger.

He said: “The 2020 celebration of Democracy Day marks 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country. This day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and struggles. It is a day to honour our founding fathers who toiled to establish our republic and every Nigerian who has worked tirelessly to sustain it.

“We are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day despite the COVID-19 pandemic which afflicts our nation and the whole world. It is indeed a very difficult time for everyone, especially those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those whose sources of livelihood have been severely constrained by the stringent measures we introduced at every level of government to contain the virus and save lives.

“As we celebrate this year’s Democracy Day, let us remember that notwithstanding our aspirations, humanity and indeed democracy is under threat of COVID-19. Nigeria has survived many crises before and came out stronger. I am confident that by God’s grace we shall overcome this one and emerge more purposeful.”

He assured citizens that his administration will not relent in its effort to enhance their livelihood.

President Buhari hailed Nigerians for their resilience, as he commiserated with those who lost their loved ones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I receive regular briefing from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. I note that the national response relies on science, data, and experience in taking decisions. This informed my decision for the ease of lockdown phase to ensure a balance between lives and livelihoods.

“Government is determined to turn this COVID-19 challenge into a motivation to action by building a nationwide public health care system that will help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for any future outbreak.

“Already we have begun to look inward and I charge our inventors, researchers and scientists to come p with solutions to cure COVID-19,” he said.

This year’s Democracy Day is being marked on June 12 for the first time on June 12, following last year’s enactment of a law changing the date from May 29 to June 12, in honour of the late Moshood Abiola, the winner of the Presidential election of June 12 1993, which was later annulled by the then President Ibrahim Babangida.

•Courtesy: Voice of Nigeria (VON).

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