President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he is always very careful about what he appends his signature, including even cheques.
Answering questions from news men shortly after a closed door meeting with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari said: “I am very careful about what I sign, whether it is my cheque book or agreements especially when it involves nation states.”
The Nigerian leader was reacting to the signing of the Africa Free Trade Agreement to facilitate growth in the continent in a way that job creation and local industries would be enhanced.
“As your President (Ramaphosa) has said, we are so populated and we have so many young unemployed citizens and our industries are just coming up.
“So in trying to guarantee employment, goods and services to our country we have to be careful with agreements that will compete, maybe successfully, against our own upcoming industries.
“I was presented with the document, I did not read it fast enough before my officials saw that it was not right for signature. I kept it on my table.
“I will soon sign it.”
