President Muhammadu Buhari has said that no Nigerian Government in the past had methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation as his administration had done.
He said that his administration has designed a "well-thought-out initiatives" that will make the lives of Nigerians better and meaningful.
The president said this in a nationwide address on Thursday.
On the welfare of police personnel, he said that the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force, adding that the emoluments of other paramilitary services were also being reviewed upwards.
He said, “In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.
“Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
“We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.
”We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens, are protected.
“But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.
”To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.
“In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.”