Buhari advises Katsina lawmakers to earn people’s trust

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for elected officials to earn the trust of the people that voted them into office, which he noted is the key ingredient of leadership.

Receiving the leadership of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Tasiu Musa Maigari, on Friday in Daura, he said elected representatives must consistently stay on the path of honesty and fairness at all times. 

President Buhari said the essence of contesting elections is to serve the people, and political actors must always remain loyal, dedicated and focused on delivering on their promises.

A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) quoted the President as saying: “Having been chosen by your people to lead, you must ensure that you remain trustworthy. Ensure fairness at all times. Leadership at home, community or national level is a heavy responsibility. And it must be discharged with fairness, firmness and justice.”

He urged the lawmakers to be selfless, visionary and committed to meeting the demands of the electorate while minding their constitutional responsibilities.

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In his remark, the Speaker thanked the President for providing leadership at the national level and setting a standard on integrity and forthrightness for others to emulate.

Maigari assured the President that the Katsina House of Assembly will continue to support his policies, and ensure a trickling down in the state to favour their various constituencies.

In another development, the urged more young men and women in Nigeria to pursue sporting careers, which can bring rewarding incomes, promote healthy local and global relationships, and ensure unity.

The President said the health benefits in sports should make it more attractive to both young and old.

President Buhari, who received Organizers of the Muhammadu Buhari Cup Competition in Katsina and some soccer teams at his country home, said: “I want the younger generation of our population to take part in sports so as to keep away from mischief and lawlessness.”

The Muhammadu Buhari Cup Competition is held annually in Daura Emirate to encourage youths to develop interest in sporting careers and enhance their skills.

The President commended organizers of the competition for maintaining unity among the youths in the Emirate, adding that by keeping the young people positively engaged, sporting activities also protect them from negative influences.

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In addition to physical and mental fitness, President Buhari said sports also provides employment and ensures wellbeing.

“Sports provide jobs opportunities. It is also a business from which you can earn respectable incomes,” President Buhari added.

The President said those who compete and excel at state and zones will eventually rise into national reckoning with focus and determination.

The Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee of the competition, Malam Aliyu Bello told the President that before the introduction of various cup competitions, young people in the Emirate were contending with idleness, lawlessness and in some cases, drugs abuse.

He said the revival of sporting events in the state by Alhaji Sani Abu had brought a decline in negative activities.

The Director of Sports in Katsina State, Nalado Iro Kankia, assured the President that Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s administration will continue to provide facilities and opportunities for promotion of sports.