President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government is acutely aware
of challenges of life facing the average citizen, and appealed to Muslim
religious leaders to carry the message of hope to the people that things
will improve.
At a meeting with the Council of Abuja Imams at the State House on
Thursday, the President requested religious leaders throughout the country
“to keep calming the people. The leadership at various levels is trying
to solve problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity bedeviling the
country.”
President Buhari said the government chose to give priority to agriculture
so as to create jobs for unemployed citizens and give the country food
security. He said although efforts had begun, there was a bigger plan for
the provision of fertilizers, insecticides and land preparations starting
next year.
To key into this, the President requested state governments and community
leaders across the country to organize the population into cooperative
societies, stressing that “extension services, not money will be
provided.”
The President also addressed the religious leaders on the efforts to
improve power supply in the country with on-going efforts to bring
foreign investment from China and some friendly countries that indicated
willingness in developing the proposed Mambila and other hydro-electric
power projects in the country.
President Buhari assured that the steps the government was carefully
taking on the crisis situation in the Niger Delta would lead to long term
peace and stabilize the region.
On the war against corruption and the Boko Haram terrorism, the President
said his government would remain resolute and relentless. “We have no
plan to humiliate or embarrass anyone through these actions. We are
merely interested in instituting justice and fairness for all”, the
President assured.
He reiterated that whoever was caught as having stolen from the public
will be forced to return the loot to the treasury. The nation needs the
money.”
Earlier, the Chairman of Abuja Council of Imams, Dr. Tajudeen Mohammed
Bello Adigun on behalf of the delegation commended the efforts of the
Buhari administration in the war against corruption and terrorism.
He also drew the President’s attention to problems in the economy, health
services, education and unemployment.