Offer hope to citizens, Buhari charges Muslim clerics

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has restated his belief that things are difficult for the average Nigerian and has, therefore, implored Muslim religious leaders to carry the message of hope to the people that things will improve.

He made the declaration at a meeting with the Council of Abuja Imams at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, requesting religious leaders in the country “to keep calming the people.”

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, after the meeting, the president assured that leadership at various levels was trying to solve problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity bedevilling 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 fertilisers, pesticides and land preparations starting next year.

To key into this, the president requested state governments and community leaders across the country to organise the population into cooperative societies, stressing that “extension services, not money, will be provided.”

Buhari also addressed the religious leaders on the efforts to improve power supply in the country with ongoing 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.

He also assured that the steps the government was carefully taking on the crisis situation in the Niger Delta would lead to long term peace and stabilise the region.

On the war against corruption and the Boko Haram terrorism, the president said his government would remain resolute and relentless.