Buhari warns on IDPs resettlement

•    Commiserates with late Al Bashir’s family

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday warned that the two million displaced Nigerians in refugee camps must be properly resettled if the country is to avert a relapse into another social crisis.

He gave the warning while speaking at a meeting with Sheikh Sharif Mohammed Kabir Ibn Mohammad, the world leader of Tijjaniya Islamic Movement at the State House, Abuja.

Lamenting the destruction of public institutions in the North East by Boko Haram terrorists, he said: “Government is faced with the problem of repairing schools, health centres and whole towns. We must repair their schools and recruit teachers otherwise they will become tomorrow’s Boko Haram.”

President Buhari reiterated the importance of justice in the affairs of governance, emphasising that men and women in authority must show kindness and justice to all the people under them.

In commending the religious group for the profuse prayers they had rendered for three days in Yola, Adamawa State for the recovery of the economy and peace in the country, the President said that the problem oil production is currently experiencing in the country and in the global markets had forced the imperative of agriculture on Nigerians.

“We are learning the hard way. The mistake we made was to abandon agriculture. We came at a time of difficulty the country has never experienced since the civil war,” he said.

President Buhari also requested the religious leaders to persuade Nigerians to embrace hard work, endurance and patience, assuring that the administration will not relent in the effort to achieve self-reliance and security for the nation.

In his remarks, Sheikh Sharif Mohammad commended President Buhari’s sense of justice and concern for the people of Nigeria.

He assured the President that the Tijjaniya movement was in full support of the administration and will continue to pray for its success.

Meanwhile, Buhari has commiserated with family, friends and professional colleagues of veteran journalist and renowned social commentator, Abdulkarim Albashir, who passed away on Monday.

According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President joined the government and people of Kaduna State, where he lived, Adamawa his place of birth and the Nigerian Union of Journalists in mourning the loss of the brilliant broadcaster and writer, who used his talent to promote the cause of the poor and the helpless.

The President commended the fearlessness and forthrightness of Abdulkarim’s columns in tackling social ills, noting that the years he spent in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and as Editor-In-Chief of the Democrat Newspapers were most historical and remarkable in developmental journalism.

The statement said “As the veteran journalist goes home,” President Buhari believed his legacy of giving “voice to the voiceless”’ will be long remembered.

The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the deceased eternal rest, and comfort his family.