The Nigerian Presidency has announced that it will install plagiarism detection software in the computers of its speechwriters to prevent a recurrence of plagiarism in presidential speeches.
An unfortunate incident occurred whereby it was noticed that a paragraph was lifted verbatim from US President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech in the Nigerian President’s “Change begins with me” speech earlier this month.
The Presidency has apologized for this incident – which it blamed on an overzealous aide – and said it wouldn’t happen again.
“The Presidency wishes to state in the clearest possible terms that it regrets this unfortunate incident and will ensure that this does not happen again.
“President Buhari urges Nigerians to look beyond this incident and focus on the message of change.”
The case was particularly embarrassing to the Presidency, especially as it came at the time US officials scheduled a meeting between President Obama and President Buhari.
The two presidents are expected to meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.
