From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday called on religious leaders in the country to keep calming the people, promising that government was working hard to solve problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity bedeviling the country.
President Buhari who stated this when he met with the Council of Abuja Imams at the State House, said his administration decided to agriculture priority so as to create jobs for the teeming army of unemployed citizens and ensure food security in the country.
He urged the religious leaders to carry the message of hope to the people that things would soon improve.
The President noted that his administration was aware of challenges facing the average citizen, assuring that government at various level were trying to address them.
He said there were plans to provide fertilizers, insecticides and land preparations starting next year.
To key into this, he requested state governments and community leaders across the country to organize the citizens into cooperative societies, stressing that “extension services, not money will be provided.”
While briefing religious leaders on efforts being made to improve power supply in the country, he said there were ongoing plans to bring foreign investment from China and some friendly countries that indicated interest in developing the proposed Mambila and other hydro-electric power projects in the country.
On the war against corruption and the Boko Haram terrorism, the President said his government would remain resolute and relentless.
He also said that the steps his administration was taking on the crisis in the Niger Delta would lead to long term peace and stabilise the region.
Earlier, the Chairman of Abuja Council of Imams, Dr. Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun, who led the delegation commended the efforts of the Buhari administration on the war against corruption and terrorism.