In a statement made during the occasion marking the receival of the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, Shiekh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, the President of Nigerian, Muhammadu Buhari claimed that the nation’s large population and size were to blame for the many challenges facing it. This address was delivered in the United States capital of Washington DC where the president had previously traveled for a visit and subsequently received the Secretary-General as well as his deputy, Pastor Bob Roberts.
President Buhari also said that his country was in desperate need of a fresh crop of youths and young leaders’ anathema to the evils of bigotry and extremism and praised his administration for their many efforts towards tackling those issues. He urged the Forum to continue its efforts towards making the youths their priority as they would need to both be proud of their heritage and truly understand each other to fulfill their role as the leaders of tomorrow.