President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, in Daura, Katsina State, said that patriotic Nigerians had nothing to fear in the fight against corruption as his administration would ensure justice and fairness to all.
A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke after Eid prayers to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir.
Buhari said those who abuse public trust would face justice in addition to returning their stolen assets to the nation’s coffers.
He thanked Nigerians for supporting Federal Government policies, programmes and actions aimed at improving security, revamping the economy and combating corruption in the country.
“We should thank God this year, the reports I am getting, which is very pleasing, is that we will have a bumper harvest this year.
“I want Nigerians to realise that what this government inherited after 16 years of the PDP government was no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road and no security.
“Nigerians can see what we have done on Boko Haram and what we are doing to resolve the problem in the Niger Delta.
“Before the elections, we identified three major problems confronting our country. The first is security; we need to sufficiently secure our country to manage it well.
“The second is economy, especially job for the youths and fighting corruption which is continuous.
“For the youths, graduates and non-graduates who are interested in agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, are doing something to provide employment for them,” the President said.
President Buhari, along some National Assembly members from the state and Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, observed the prayer at the Kofar Arewa Eid ground.
The prayer was led by Sheik Sufuyan Yusuf, whose sermon dwelt on the significance of sacrifice in the attainment of piety in Islam.
Yusuf called on Muslims to use the festive period to renew their patriotism and commitment to nation building.
He also called on them to use the occasion to pray for the nation’s leaders to succeed in bringing about sustainable development in the country.
Our correspondent reports that following the prayer, the president received warm cheers from Muslim faithful, who had trooped to the praying ground to observe the festive period.
The president who had been in the state since Friday evening had assisted his wife, Aisha, to launch a poverty alleviation programme for some 200 women.
In his Sallah message, Governor Aminu Bello Masari called on Nigerians to continue to exercise patience with the country’s leadership in view of the economic challenges facing the country.
Masari said the economic challenges facing the country was not limited to Nigeria alone as several nations of the world were facing similar challenges.
He however said the country had years back witnessed recession but that it bounced back economically.
He, therefore, called on Muslim faithful, particularly those observing pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, to continue to pray for the peace and development of the country.
On his part, Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, called on Nigerians to continue to contribute their quota to nation’s development.
Usman said what the nation was going through would only make the country stronger.
Meanwhile, the worsening economic downturn facing the nation forced many Abuja residents to observe a low key celebration.
Added to the challenge was a torrential rain that dulled the weather and the feast all through the day.
Rain and lack of money deterred faithful from visiting relatives and fun centres, which are common flavours for such a feast.
Nevertheless, faithful were clad in different attires to various praying grounds across the city, before arriving home to slaughter their rams and cows which epitomises the Sallah.
As at 6:30 a.m., hundreds of policemen had arrived the Muslim Prayer Ground, located about three kilometres after the National Stadium, along the Airport Road, to provide adequate security.
Our correspondent, who moved round the city, observed that a few businesses opened throughout the day, despite the rain.
For instance, Zone 3 Shopping Complex was alive with activities.
But, a number of shops, apparently belonging to Muslims were under lock and key.
A few residents, especially those on essential services, private security guards and others were seen in some parts of the city, carrying out their legitimate duties.
A few cab drivers too were in town to do brisk business.
Security officials deployed to different parts of the Federal Capital Territory were at their best, as the city witnessed hitch-free celebration as at the time this report was being filed at 7 p.m. yesterday.
Officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were seen in major spots such as Berger, AYA and Area One.
The officers were stationed at the locations with their emergency buses and other vehicles.
A few policemen too were seen in the city by our correspondent.
Some of the faithful, who spoke with our correspondent expressed sadness over the current economic situation in the country.
One of them, Ahmed Mohammed, said: “It is not easy for people in the country today as we can see. But, we thank Allah for our lives.
“Even though we don’t have money to celebrate the way we want today, we are happy that we are alive. We hope next year will be better, and that Allah will turn things around for the best in our nation.”
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| President Buhari recieved in Katsina by Aminu Bello |
A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke after Eid prayers to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir.
Buhari said those who abuse public trust would face justice in addition to returning their stolen assets to the nation’s coffers.
He thanked Nigerians for supporting Federal Government policies, programmes and actions aimed at improving security, revamping the economy and combating corruption in the country.
“We should thank God this year, the reports I am getting, which is very pleasing, is that we will have a bumper harvest this year.
“I want Nigerians to realise that what this government inherited after 16 years of the PDP government was no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road and no security.
“Nigerians can see what we have done on Boko Haram and what we are doing to resolve the problem in the Niger Delta.
“Before the elections, we identified three major problems confronting our country. The first is security; we need to sufficiently secure our country to manage it well.
“The second is economy, especially job for the youths and fighting corruption which is continuous.
“For the youths, graduates and non-graduates who are interested in agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, are doing something to provide employment for them,” the President said.
President Buhari, along some National Assembly members from the state and Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, observed the prayer at the Kofar Arewa Eid ground.
The prayer was led by Sheik Sufuyan Yusuf, whose sermon dwelt on the significance of sacrifice in the attainment of piety in Islam.
Yusuf called on Muslims to use the festive period to renew their patriotism and commitment to nation building.
He also called on them to use the occasion to pray for the nation’s leaders to succeed in bringing about sustainable development in the country.
Our correspondent reports that following the prayer, the president received warm cheers from Muslim faithful, who had trooped to the praying ground to observe the festive period.
The president who had been in the state since Friday evening had assisted his wife, Aisha, to launch a poverty alleviation programme for some 200 women.
In his Sallah message, Governor Aminu Bello Masari called on Nigerians to continue to exercise patience with the country’s leadership in view of the economic challenges facing the country.
Masari said the economic challenges facing the country was not limited to Nigeria alone as several nations of the world were facing similar challenges.
He however said the country had years back witnessed recession but that it bounced back economically.
He, therefore, called on Muslim faithful, particularly those observing pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, to continue to pray for the peace and development of the country.
On his part, Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, called on Nigerians to continue to contribute their quota to nation’s development.
Usman said what the nation was going through would only make the country stronger.
Meanwhile, the worsening economic downturn facing the nation forced many Abuja residents to observe a low key celebration.
Added to the challenge was a torrential rain that dulled the weather and the feast all through the day.
Rain and lack of money deterred faithful from visiting relatives and fun centres, which are common flavours for such a feast.
Nevertheless, faithful were clad in different attires to various praying grounds across the city, before arriving home to slaughter their rams and cows which epitomises the Sallah.
As at 6:30 a.m., hundreds of policemen had arrived the Muslim Prayer Ground, located about three kilometres after the National Stadium, along the Airport Road, to provide adequate security.
Our correspondent, who moved round the city, observed that a few businesses opened throughout the day, despite the rain.
For instance, Zone 3 Shopping Complex was alive with activities.
But, a number of shops, apparently belonging to Muslims were under lock and key.
A few residents, especially those on essential services, private security guards and others were seen in some parts of the city, carrying out their legitimate duties.
A few cab drivers too were in town to do brisk business.
Security officials deployed to different parts of the Federal Capital Territory were at their best, as the city witnessed hitch-free celebration as at the time this report was being filed at 7 p.m. yesterday.
Officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were seen in major spots such as Berger, AYA and Area One.
The officers were stationed at the locations with their emergency buses and other vehicles.
A few policemen too were seen in the city by our correspondent.
Some of the faithful, who spoke with our correspondent expressed sadness over the current economic situation in the country.
One of them, Ahmed Mohammed, said: “It is not easy for people in the country today as we can see. But, we thank Allah for our lives.
“Even though we don’t have money to celebrate the way we want today, we are happy that we are alive. We hope next year will be better, and that Allah will turn things around for the best in our nation.”
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