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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Tight security at pro-Buhari rally

    Security operatives around the Unity Fountain, Abuja were doubled following a rally by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ) in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast that the unity of Nigeria is settled.

    Both the young and old turned out in large numbers for the peaceful rally with different inscriptions in solidarity with Buhari’s fight against corruption, and hate speeches, among others.

    Convener of CCSJ, Comrade Goodluck Obi while addressing the crowd, commended Buhari’s administration, its resolve and commitment to fix “our broken society which has been plundered and pillaged by irresponsible leadership in the past at various levels of government.

    Obi urged Nigerians to make peace and unity their watchword at all times no matter the situation and influence.

    The members, who came from the six geo-political zones of the country, brandished various placards during the event.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “United we stand, divided we fall; ‘Legislooters’ must be jailed; we stand against terrorism; we support Buhari anti-corruption campaign,” among others.

    “It is an indisputable fact that peace and unity are germane to progress and national development of any society.

    “However, it is not in doubt that today, the peace and unity of the Nigerian people is under threat and attack by anti-democratic elements and agents of destabilization and it must be resisted,” Obi said.

    While commending the uncommon resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to root out corruption from the country, CCSJ assured of its total support for government to properly fix Nigeria.

    “We align ourselves with the Presidential broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari that the unity of Nigeria is settled and urge all persons, group and their sponsors agitating on one cause or another to stop the assault on our national psyche by incitement and plot to cause public disaffection, but rather explore the constitutional and democratic channels in addressing their grievances.

    “We support this government’s determination to recover our country through its uncompromising and unyielding war on corruption, insurgency and economic recovery programmes of which we all have to make sacrifices for the collective good,” Obi said.

    He expressed concern over the antics of some individuals, who he said are agents of destabilization, just as he called on the National Assembly and Judiciary to live up to expectation.

    “We are also disturbed by the developments in the National Assembly and the Judiciary whose conducts is at variance with their constitutional mandate and thus we are calling on both institutions of government to do a rethink a U-turn before it is too late,” the convener added.

    Highpoint of the rally was a walk by members of CCSJ from the Unity Fountain, Maitama, to other parts of the nation’s capital territory to show support for Buhari administration.

  • Paris Club refund: Buhari decries governors handling

    Paris Club refund: Buhari decries governors handling

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with members of the National Council of traditional rulers and decried the way the Paris Club Refund was spent by some state governors.

    The Federal government had on May 4 released details of the second tranche of Paris Club refund to States totalling N243. 795 billion.

    The refund is in respect of over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans and Multilateral debts between 1995-2002.

    The President, who met with the traditional rulers at the new Banquet hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja frowned at the inability of the affected state governments to pay the retirement benefits and outstanding salaries of workers with the payment of the refund.

    “We have to digress this much because I would like to convince you that I’m living with the problems of this country day-by-day, and mostly those of the ordinary people.

    “There are Nigerians that haven’t been paid for six months; there are Nigerians that have not been paid their retirement benefits for years.

    “I’m appealing to the governors, (that was why we voted money, we borrowed money), please make sure anybody under you, pay them because most of them depend on that salary to pay rent, school fees,’’ he said.

    He pledged that his administration would continue to do its best in executing developmental projects to uplift the standard of living of all Nigerians irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds.

    The President noted with delight that the country would be witnessing bumper harvest across the country, this year.

    He said the bumper harvest was as a result of the prayers of Nigerians which was graciously answered by God.

    “We are lucky, last year and this year, the rainy season was good. If it were not good, I’m confiding in you, which country shall I run to? But God answered the prayers of most Nigerians.

    “The rainy season last year was good, this year, from the reports I’m getting, it is good. We thank God for that, only God can do that for us otherwise there would have been lot of problems in this country.

    President Buhari thanked the traditional rulers for their continued prayers and support to the government and urged them not to relent in efforts toward ensuring peace and stability in their respective domains.

    He enjoined them to continue to educate their people on the need to ensure the continued survival of Nigeria as a geo-political entity.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, said the traditional rulers were in the Presidential Villa to wish the President and the country well and to express their unflinching support for the administration.

    He, however, challenged the President to tight up his belt in the discharge of his responsibilities for the betterment of the country.

    The Sultan reassured that the traditional rulers would continue to pray for the good health of the president as well as peace and prosperity of the country.

    The Sultan also expressed the willingness of the traditional rulers to continue to partner with the government in the fight against corruption and other social vices in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six traditional rulers, one from each geo-political zone of the country, spoke at the occasion where they reassured the support of their zones for the Buhari administration as well as the continued existence of Nigeria as one country.

    The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, who spoke on behalf of the North-East traditional rulers, also offered special prayer for God to continue to give the President good health to enable him deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

     

  • ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    Ex-VP defends role 

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been attacked for saying he has been sidelined by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He helped Buhari to get into office and got nothing in return, he has been quoted as saying.

    Former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, yesterday dismissed Atiku’s claim, saying the former Vice – President  did not campaign for President Buhari in 2015.

    Besides, he did not contribute “anything” to the campaign, he said.

    Lawal, a director on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said Atiku remained bitter for losing the presidential ticket to Buhari.

    But the Atiku Media Office insisted that the former Vice-President did his best for the campaign after being sidelined initially.

    Lawal said: “We know that right from the time Buhari was sworn in, he started plotting to cause problem, to ensure that this administration does not succeed.

    “During the campaign, he granted an interview to BBC and said he was sure APC would not win the presidential election.

    “He was making preparations that if APC did not win, he will go back to PDP and get the ticket after ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s projected exit in 2019.

    “Immediately after the presidential primaries, Atiku left the country. He did not come back. All along, while we were prosecuting the presidential campaign, Atiku was not in Nigeria. He did not participate in the presidential campaign.

    “After the presidential election, he came to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and left the country. He is  complaining now  that he was not contacted.”

    Atiku has said that he was “used and dumped”.

    This, Lawal said Atiku was not right with his claim.

    He added: “I served as a Deputy Director at the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “ I knew all the intrigues. He fought Buhari tooth and nail. He was extremely unhappy about the loss of presidential primaries.

    “He did not campaign for Buhari during the election. He even refused to contribute any money. He  promised to campaign and to contribute to the campaign. He did not contribute anything meaningful.

    “ Let him say how much he spent. How much did he claim he spent? Is his money more important than his appearance at the campaign? He spent all the  money he thinks he has to ensure that Buhari did not win.

    “People are not foolish. He told the BBC in 2015 that he was sure that Buhari was not going to win. So, will somebody who did not believe in the party’s candidate spend anything?”

    He insisted that Buhari has been fair to Atiku.

    “And out of magnanimity, Buhari’s first outing from Abuja, after winning the election, was to attend Atiku’s daughter’s wedding.

    “There are many  Atiku loyalists in this government and he is saying that he has been sidelined.  She (Women Affairs Minister Aisha Alhassan) and other Atiku loyalists were given appointment because of him. They know themselves. And Atiku is saying nothing has been given to him. At least the principal appointment given to Atiku went to Aisha as the Minister of Women Affairs.

    “To be candid with you, Atiku started fighting Buhari since 2015. They just came out now because they were choked up; they did not get any reaction from him. They thought he was  going to start fighting, abusing and dealing mercilessly with the opposition in government.”

    On the comments of the Minister of Women Affairs, Lawal said she ought to have resigned her appointment.

    He said: “When Atiku was having problem with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, did any of his boys attack Obasanjo? Why is she doing it now? If there is any political saint in this country, Buhari is number one. If there are other saints, Buhari is the most pious political saint in Nigeria.

    “If she is the daughter of Atiku, as she is claiming; if she is Mama Taraba, as she claims to be, let her resign and go and work for Atiku. Atiku is free to contest; she is free to campaign for anybody.

    “As for the President, he knew when she gave Aisha appointment that she is a political ally of Atiku and we were  not surprised.

    “We are in government; we know about their machinations, meetings in order to discredit this government.  It started  after the primaries and shortly after   the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari. We know what they have been planning underground. Recently it choked them because the President refused to answer or react to all their mischiefs.”

    Spokesman of the Atiku Media Office Mr. Paul Ibe, said yesterday that in spite of  Atiku not accorded the respect he deserved, the former Vice President worked “harder for Buhari’s victory.”

    He said: “Lawal was not in the position to say that Atiku did not contribute to Buhari’s campaign. Those in the position knew what transpired. It is not the truth. I remember that I was a Deputy Director in the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “The ex-Vice President contributed his resources, time, counsel, and ideas, including the media resources which played a crucial role. Even after the election, when the media team met with the President, he acknowledged the role of the media unit.

    “After the election, Atiku Media Office became the temporary shelter for the presidential campaign media personnel.”

    He added: “Atiku was not accorded the respect he deserves  as a major stakeholder during the campaign.

    “He was not even aware of the campaign itinerary. If you didn’t invite a leader for campaign, will you expect him to be there?

    ”When they realised what was happening, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, went to the former Vice President who said he was being excluded and there was a promise that they would not sideline him.

    “By coincidence, we ( his aides) also went to meet with Atiku. We asked: ‘Are we to withdraw because you are being excluded,’ But Atiku told us: ‘You are on a historic national assignment; what you have started, you will finish.’

    “So, after the meeting with Amaechi, the ex-VP went full blast into the campaign. He said he did it in the best interest of Nigeria. It is not about Atiku; it is about Nigeria.

    “Everything Atiku said I stand by it.The ex-VP has not been plotting against this administration. He is a democrat who has been giving advice to make sure the government succeeds.”

  • ‘Gas flaring in Nigeria to end soon’

    ‘Gas flaring in Nigeria to end soon’

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that plans to end gas flaring in the country has reached advanced stage through the National Gas Flaring Commercialisation Programme.

    It said 48 sites across the Niger Delta region have been identified in the first phase where the gas would be harnessed for cooking, electricity and other industrial use.

    This was disclosed by Special Adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh,  at Gelegele in Ovia North East local government where he inaugurated a borehole project.

    Brig-General Boroh stated that 36, 000 direct jobs as well as 200, 000 indirect jobs would be created in Niger Delta region alone from the ending of gas flaring.

    Boroh who is also the National Co-ordinator of the Amnesty programme said the programme would be private sector driven.

    He noted that six million households would have access to clean and renewable energy in the Niger Delta when the programme is implemented.

    Boroh assured the people that President Buhari was committed to the development of the Niger Delta region by ensuring implementation of programmes that would uplift the people.

    He noted that part of the plans to end attacks on oil pipelines was to ensure that pipelines monitoring and protection are community driven.

    According to him, “I want  you all to know that the government is quite disturbed about the health and environmental impact of  gas flaring and is working hard to put an end to this very soon.

    “Through this programme also, 6 million house hold would have access to a clean and renewable energy.

    “For the pipeline security scheme, it is going to be community driven. The community People where we have these oil installations and facilities are expected to drive this process.

    The modalities for this is still being worked out.

    “For the modular refinery which is also going to be private driven, it is being initiated in order to put an end to the menace of illegal refinery. The blue print on this will be out soon,” he stated.

    Zonal President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Robinson Ogunkoru, called for the establishment of amnesty office in Edo State.

    He appealed for pipeline surveillance slot for INC in Edo as well as provision of skill acquisition center in five Okay clan of Edo.

  • 2019: Anxiety in APC over minister’s Buhari comment

    2019: Anxiety in APC over minister’s Buhari comment

    There is anxiety in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Aisha Alhassan’s comment on President Muhammadu Buhari’s yet undeclared plan to run in 2019.

    The minister has been under fire for saying she will not back Buhari, if he wishes to run.

    To some party leaders, the remark is “totally unexpected”.

    Hajia Alhassan, who ran for governor in Taraba State in 2015, defended her position at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

    She said “God gives and takes position” when asked whether she expected to be fired from her position, following her declaration of support for former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku.

    Besides, the minister said President Buhari declared in 2015 that he would do one term. She spoke during a visit to the former vice-president and in an interview on BBC Hausa Service.

    A party leader said last night. “The remarks rattled us. It is totally unexpected. But it is her view, not a collective opinion.”

    Another said the party would meet on the development.

    Senator Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) advised the minister to resign.

    Sani said: “The difference between that woman who made the statement as a minister and others is that she was open and others are still having it in their minds.

    “If she is prepared to work for the former vice-president, she can easily excuse herself from this government and concentrate on what she believes in for 2019.”

    A chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, said: ”She has a right to her choice but I think she is not being fair. If she wants to make such public statement as a serving minister, she should resign her appointment.”

    Aganaba, who expressed confidence in the Buhari administration, however, urged the President to bring into his cabinet “capable hands” who understand the ideal of the change mantra which the party stands for.

    “So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice than to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest; nobody is stopping them. This is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.

    “During the last APC presidential primaries, the campaign slogan for Buhari was ’12 million assured votes’ and I don’t think one single vote has left that 12 million assured votes. In fact, more have even been added.

    “I am not bothered about the economy because that will be fixed. For me, I’m looking at the politics of various zones because that will determine how much we win the election. To win, we will win, but by what margin? These are my issues and then if we can also do well at National Assembly elections.

    “In government wise, I think we have done well. Yes, may be not where we are supposed to be because we also did not know about what we met when we came in 2015 but we have done well. A few days ago we heard that Nigeria exited the recession. The prices of food stuff are coming down, in Abuja here where I live I get minimum of 20 hours of electricity and some days light doesn’t go off for five days and so on.

    “If President Buhari runs election today, he is going to win. I don’t think the President is terminally ill and, like every other human being, people fall sick but the problem is because he is the President, is in government you begin to hear stories, but he is back. I saw him yesterday; he was looking very fresh, atleast he rested very well in Daura.”

    Asked by State House reporters why she made the statement, Mrs. Alhassan said: “No, I have no comment. What will I say now? I have said all in BBC Hausa. Get someone who speaks Hausa very well to translate it to you.”

    On her relationship with Buhari, she said: “How will I know? I have not seen the President but I don’t think the President is a naive person.”

    Asked if she is not afraid of losing her job, she said: “God gives and God takes. That is all and I have said it all in Hausa. You know that there is an end to everything.”

    On Buhari supporters attacking her on social media, Mrs. Alhassan  said: “Let the will of God be.”

  • Buhari, APC abandoned me after 2015 poll – Atiku

    Buhari, APC abandoned me after 2015 poll – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) of abandoning him after helping the party to win the 2015 general election.

    This came after the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, publicly declared her support for Atiku’s presidential quest in 2019.

    The minister said she would support the ex- vice president even if President Buhari decides to seek re-election in 2019.

    Trending: Senate to Buhari: Call Sagay to order

    The foremer Vice President, in an interview on the Voice of America (VOA)’s Hausa Service, said he had been abandoned in spite of his efforts in making sure that the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

    Speaking from his home town in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State after the Eid-El-Kabir festival, Abubakar said: “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

    Also: Senators earn N3billion per annum – Sagay

    “But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are but three years down the lane, this is where we are.”

    However, he applauded the president on the successes recorded so far in the fight against Boko Haram, but said it was not yet time to celebrate because a lot is yet to be done and “the ruling government had failed in many fronts.

    “Yes, there were successes but not comprehensive success because the Boko Haram miscreants are still very active, killing our people and many local government councils in Borno and Yobe are under their firm grip. People cannot dare go back to their dwellings,” he said.

  • Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    • Wants Alhassan to resign

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, Preye Aganaba said on Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari remain the party’s best candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, asking the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan to resign her appointment as a minister in the Buhari cabinet.

    Aganaba who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja also asked Nigerians to ignore the quit notice issued by a coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to northerners and people from the south west to leave the region, describing them as attention seekers.

    Reacting to a statement credited to the Minister that she would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election ahead of President Buhari, Aganaba said while the Minister has the eight to her opinion, it was expressed in the wrongly, saying “She has a right to her choice but I think she is not been fair. If she want to make such public statement as a serving Minister, she should resign her appointment.”

    Aganaba who expressed confidence in the Buhari government however wants the President to bring into his government those he described as capable hands who understand the ideal of change mantra which the party stand for anytime he plan to re-jig his cabinet.

    “So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice that to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest, nobody is stopping them, this is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last Presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.

    “During the last APC presidential primaries, the campaign slogan for Buhari was ’12 million assured votes’ and I don’t think one single vote has left that 12 million assured votes, in fact, more has even been added.

                      Related: Nothing Wrong with visit to Atiku – Alhassan

    “I am not bothered about the economy because that will be fixed, for me I’m looking at the politics of various zones because that will determine how much we win the election. To win we will win, but by what margin? These are my issues and then if we can also do well at National Assembly elections.

    “In government wise, I think we have done well. Yes, may

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

    be not where we suppose to be because we also did not know about what we met when we came in 2015 but we have done well. In few days ago we heard about the story of Nigeria exited recession, the prices of food stuff are coming down, in Abuja here where I live I get minimum of 20 hours of electricity and some days light doesn’t go off for five days and so on.

    “If President Buhari runs election today he is going to win. I don’t think the President is terminally ill, and like every other human being, people fall sick but the problem is because he is the President, is in government you begin to hear stories but he is back. I saw him yesterday he is looking very fresh, atleast he rested very well in Daura.”

                    Trending: Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    He also expressed confidence that the crisis rocking the various state chapters of the party will soon be resolved saying “they will be amicably resolve because whether you like it or not we are going into elections and we can not go into we ctions with a divided house. In 2013, I saw leaders of this party brought together a disfunctional system and we went into elections in 2015 and we won. So, I still believe in the ability of this party to do the same thing before 2019.”

    On the various agitations coming from the Niger Delta, he advised the government and Nigerians to ignore them, saying “most of these calls are political from people seeking relevance from government and for me I think they should be ignored because when they want to destroy pipeline nobody makes noise about it.”

  • Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, said on Thursday she stands by her remarks to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate in 2019.

    Alhassan had told the BBC Hausa Service that she would not support President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to seek re-election in 2019.

    Speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday, the minister said she is not afraid of being sacked by President Buhari.

    Related: Nothing wrong in supporting Atiku – Alhassan

    She said: “No, I have no comment. What will I say now? I have said all in BBC Hausa Service. Get someone who speaks Hausa very well to translate it for you.”

    On her relationship with Buhari now, she added: “How will I know? I have not seen the President but I don’t think the President is a naive person.”

    Also: I am loyal to Buhari – Alhassan

    “God gives and God takes. That is all and I have said it all in Hausa. You know that there is an end to everything.”

    On Buhari supporters attacking her on social media, Alhassan said “let the will of God be done.”

  • IYC to Buhari: Assent to Petroleum varsity establishment act

    IYC to Buhari: Assent to Petroleum varsity establishment act

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently assent to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State Establishment Act which was recently passed into law by the national assembly.

    The Eric Omare led national executive council of the IYC made the call when it paid a visit to the management of the university in Effurun, Delta state, on Wednesday.

    According to Omare, “President Buhari needs to urgently sign the bill into law so as to give the university a legal backing, accelerate the growth of the university and most importantly funding opportunities for it to meet up with its academic obligations as a pioneer petroleum university.

    “It would also enable the university to embark on research into oil and gas issues towards resolving some of the environmental crisis bedeviling the Niger Delta region.

    It would be recalled that the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, recently sponsored a bill to provide legal backing to the university, which was promptly passed by the National Assembly, but yet to be assented to by the President
    as required by the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

    The IYC delegation also charged the petroleum university to carry out research on how to tackle the challenge of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, arising from decades of oil exploration activities in the region.

    The Omare led IYC also called for legal backing for local refiners and the enabling technology to improve their refinering activities.

  • Recession: There is more to be done – APC

    Recession: There is more to be done – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Wednesday that the country’s exit from recession was in tandem with the campaign promises of President Muhammadu Buhari that the nation will experience economic growth in 2017, but said however that a lot of work still need too be done.

    The party dismiss the statement credited to the main opposition party, the PDP that it’s wrong policies were responsible for the country going into recession and assure Nigerians that the administration remains focused on its effort to sustain the economy on the path of growth.

    In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the party said the Buhari administration was determined to pull the country out of the current hardship.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) rejoices over latest disclosures by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) respectively that the country has exited recession after five consecutive quarters of contraction and the country’s foreign reserve has hit $32 billion, the highest mark since January 2015.

    “Nigerians will recall that during the 2015 elections, the APC promised to curb corruption, restore the economy and ensure security of the nation. We commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the economic recovery efforts which has evidently started to yield fruits. 

    “The APC also commends the National Assembly as it continues to work with the executive on improving the economy and other areas of national life.

    “Commendably, the country’s exit from recession was in tandem with the current administration’s forecast that the country will experience economic growth in 2017. This is another demonstration that the President Buhari APC-led administration is one that keeps its promises.

    “The APC thanks Nigerians for their patience, understanding and support for the President Buhari administration while the economy was in recession. Although there remains much more work to be done, we assure Nigerians that the administration remains focused on its effort to sustain the economy on the path of growth.

    “As the President Buhari administration works assiduously to build a new solid foundation, credible image and pull the country out of the present hardships, we appeal for continued patience and the cooperation from Nigerians. While these are difficult times for many Nigerians, we must sustain the hope that brighter days are ahead of us.”