By Tosin Omoniyi

President Muhammadu Buhari, has said he would do all it takes to maintain the massive global goodwill which Nigeria currently enjoys as a result of its change of leadership guard at the national level.

He said that although the challenge of living up to the standards already set for him by the global community was immense, he was prepared to sacrifice time and energy to meet up to expectations.

Buhari, who spoke at the U.S. Institute of Peace on Wednesday during his first visit to the United States since taking office, said he was overwhelmed by the overflow of support his government was presently receiving locally and globally.

He said despite the minimal misgivings Nigerians have expressed at the home front about the slow pace of government activities, they were still in support of his policies so far.

“Before I came into office, I was referred to as ‘ Baba Buhari.’ But now many prefer to call me, ‘Baba Go Slow.’ That is to be expected of course. Nigerians may be apprehensive a bit but they are all confident that we will deliver on our campaign promises. It is a challenge I asked for and I have gotten. So it is my problem to solve. I will strive to maintain the goodwill that Nigeria currently enjoys. It will be hard to maintain but I will do all I can to do it so that we can continue to enjoy the support of the global community,” he said.

The President reiterated the determination of his administration to tackle the issues of insecurity, economic decline and lack of adequate human capital development, adding that when these are effectively tackled, Nigeria would be on the path to rapid growth and development.

President Buhari, in response to a question from a guest on the fate of the regions where he did not get many votes, also said that no constituency would be denied its due rights as a result of political leaning. He also said the Niger Delta would be carried along in the developmental strides.

He also took the opportunity to acknowledge the role of the immediate past Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, whom he credited for setting a laudable pathway that now has Nigeria enjoying global commendation.

The parley with the President was co-hosted by the institute, the Atlantic Council, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

Buhari is expected to meet with different categories of the international community and Nigerians in Diaspora in an attempt to garner support for the fight against insurgency and also further improve the nation’s image globally.