President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Katsina urged traditional rulers to spearhead the campaign for peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the diverse socio-political groups in the country.
The president made the call when he visited the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabiru Usman, at his palace in Katsina, Katsina state.
He said the call had become imperative in view of the activities of some groups who had been preaching hatred, disunity and divisive tendencies among Nigerians for their selfish motives.
He, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians to always ignore those individuals and groups calling for the break-up of Nigeria.
President Buhari, who narrated the role he played during the civil war in Nigeria, said over two million lives were lost during the war.
The president, who expressed concern over the prevailing harsh economic realities across the country, called on the traditional rulers to assist in educating their subjects on the need to be patient and to always exercise restraints while commenting on state of the nation.
He also called on community leaders across the country to introduce monthly or quarterly meeting in their respective communities to address issues concerning their welfare.
According to him, such meeting will provide solutions to some challenges facing the people rather than awaiting government intervention to resolve such problems.
President Buhari enjoined leaders to always be honest and straightforward while dealing with the people in order to ensure good upbringing of the younger ones in the society.
On the current economic hardship being experienced in the country, the president attributed such hardship to dwindling oil revenue occasioned by the unstable global oil price.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to diversify their means of livelihood by engaging in agricultural activities to alleviate their sufferings.
The president, who reiterated the determination of his administration to recover Nigeria’s stolen funds, reassured that the ongoing war against corruption was not selective but aimed at ensuring financial and economic discipline in the country.
In his remarks, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabiru Usman, called on the Federal Government to fulfill its promises of completing the dredging of River Niger as well as the Katsina state water and dam projects to boost irrigation farming in the state.
The Emir also called for the federal government’s intervention in reviving teacher training colleges to uplift the quality of education in the country.
He enjoined Nigerians, particularly the elite, to support and show more understanding to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration by offering special prayers for the success of the government.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has paid similar visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, where he reassured Nigerians that his administration would continue to promote programmes and policies that would ensure unity, stability and development of the country.
According to him, the 2016 Budget of Change, just signed into law, represents a major step in delivering a new opportunity for Nigeria.
He said despite the challenges, his administration has the will, resourcefulness and commitment to not only secure Nigeria and rebuild the economy but also deliver prosperity to the people.
President Buhari, however, solicited the support of traditional rulers, religious leaders and well meaning Nigerians to mobilise the citizenry toward serving the interest of the country, at all times.
In his remarks, the Emir commended the president for the steps so far taken by his administration to give a new vista of hope on the future of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that special prayers were offered for the nation and its leaders at the palaces of the two Emirs in Katsina and Daura.(NAN)