As the government tries to douse the tension im the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday announced that his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari will lead senior government officials to different  parts of the country to imeet with the traditional rulers and the people especially the youths

The team willl explain to the communities efforts of government in addressing their demands.

Buhari also emphasized the imperative of support of traditional rulers in his administration’s determination to address the demands.

This was contained in a statement by the President  at a meeting with a delegation of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He once ore told the royal fathers that “we have heard the loud cries of our youth and children, and we are attending to their concerns.” 

“To succeed in all of this, we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message. Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful,” the president said.

 

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President described the critical role of the royal fathers “as guardians of our traditional values and culture” and urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”

His Chief of Staff, Prof. Gambari, would lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process, he said. He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives.

 

“I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service.”

 

Buhari warned that “we cannot allow anybody or group to threaten the peace or sabotage these efforts,” amd restated that “strong, transparent efforts are underway to address those rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force.

 

Je said that “Simultaneously, the Nigerian Police Force will also undergo much needed reform that covers welfare, working conditions, and code of conduct. That will usher in a more professional workforce.”

 

Referring to the recent Covid-19 experience, he noted: “We find ourselves in very turbulent times, with a global health pandemic that has been incredibly challenging. Economies have been crippled as the response to the pandemic has forced businesses to shut down or devise new means of transacting. For a country like ours, with a large informal economy, our citizens have been particularly hit.”

He noted, however, that his administration has “designed various schemes and taken many measures to soften the impact, despite our own revenue struggles as government,” while recognizing that “more needs to be done to cater to our fellow citizens, not just those in the urban areas but also those in rural areas.”

According to him, “I am also fully aware that our strong farming belts have been impacted by floods. While we have seen record levels of farm outputs and increased level of fertilizer utilization, government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies is working on how to help bring these farmers some relief.”

Admitting the enormity of these challenges and “our growing youth population,” the President declared:

“There is no hiding place regarding how we should address insecurity concerns, youth unemployment, job creation, boosting industrialization and preparing for a transition into a digital economy.”