President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured Nigerians that the unity of the country will remain his paramount objective.
Receiving a delegation of the Tijjaniya Movement led by Sheikh Muhammadu Mahi Ibrahim Inyass at the Presidential Villa, the President said: “I will continue to do everything within my powers to unite Nigeria.”
He commended the religious group for the peaceful conduct of their annual convention and urged them to bring the same to bear in promoting peace, unity and inter-religious harmony in Nigeria.
He also lauded the group for complementing government efforts in bringing social, economic development, and stability in the country by encouraging discipline, unity and spirituality among its members.
Reiterating his remarks on Thursday at the palace of Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, after he was presented with the Holy Quran, the President said the gift of Holy Quran is the highest anyone can receive and a reminder to seek and uphold justice in the service of the nation.
In his remarks, the leader of the group, Sheikh Muhammadu Mahi Ibrahim Inyass, told the President that members of the group would continue to support and appreciate his ‘‘noble agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians,’’ because they believe elected officials must be ‘‘accountable, incorruptible and God fearing.’’
“It has never been easy. Even our Holy Prophet (SWA) was never totally accepted in his lifetime. It was only after he had long gone, people saw the wisdom in his preaching and sacrifices. We, therefore, urge you not to relent in your efforts.
“Therefore, it is pertinent for you to note, Your Excellency, that majority of us are with your government and would ensure a total support for you in your effort to return Nigeria to the path of greater progress and development,’’ he said.
Buhari speaks on Obasanjo letter
President Muhammadu Buhari has finally reacted to the letter written by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, criticising his leadership style and urging him not to run for another term in office.
Obasanjo, in 13-page letter entitled: “The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement” said Buhari has performed below expectation and should honourably “dismount from the horse” to join the league of the country’s former leaders whose “experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the sideline for the good of the country.”
Speaking in Bauchi during a state banquet in his honour on Thursday night, Buhari said he would have preferred to remain silent on the matter, but for Lai Mohammed’s insistence that there ought to be a response from the federal government.
Buhari said: “Tonight, I want to remind you people of what Lai Mohammed did when a letter was written on our failure as an administration,” Buhari was quoted by The Cable newspaper as saying. “Lai Mohammed was agitated about replying but I said no. I said no for two reasons: one, he is much younger than the person who wrote the letter and myself; too, he is from the same constituency as the person who wrote the letter.
“But when Mohammed came again, I said he should go out but he said he won’t go. I asked why and he said, let me give him a chance to say what he wanted, then I said go on. He said in what he would do, he would not mention names but only try to remind Nigerians what the country was when we came in, where we are now, and what we have done with the resources available to us.
“Eventually, I had to admit that he was right and I was wrong because a number of people who could get in touch with me have said that Lai did a good job. A lot of them are in the media… I am very happy with the performance of our party, the All Progressive Congress.”
Buhari also narrated how the “betrayal” of some of his former political associates informed his insistence on finding a credible platform that would enable him “rescue the country”.
“I will like to go down some historical antecedents so that people can assess. When we were in the ANPP, I went through an impartial primary and I won the ticket. I think for the third or fourth time and while I was in court, because I felt I was ready to be president, the person who was to be my vice-president, allowed himself to be appointed by the presidency,” he said.
…Leaves for meeting with Trump
President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja today on an official working visit to the United States of America, on the invitation of President Donald Trump, his office said.
President Buhari will have bilateral meeting with President Trump and a working lunch on Monday 30th April 2018.
The meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and to advance shared priorities, such as: promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.
The meeting will further deepen the US-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership.
Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing, dairy and animal husbandry.
Ahead of the visit by President Buhari, meetings have been scheduled on 26th and 27th April, 2018, between senior Nigerian Government officials and executives of major US companies in the areas of agriculture, aviation and transportation.
In the area of aviation, the Nigerian officials will be meeting with Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, on the National Carrier Project.
On agriculture, they will meet with large equipment manufacturers with focus on harvesting and post harvesting equipment.
In the area of transportation, the officials will meet with the GE-led consortium for the implementation of the interim phase of the narrow gauge rail concession.
The Nigerian officials will also meet with US-EXIM Bank and the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation to explore competitive financing arrangements.
