Eid-el-Kabir: Better Days Lie Ahead, PMB Assures

 L-R: Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar;  President Muhammadu  Buhari (left) after Eid Kabir prayer in Daura,Katsina, yesterday. PHOTO:STATE HOUSE 

President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted Nigerians for their steadfastness in spite of the economic crunch, and gave the assurance that the country will soon witness better days.

In his Sallah message, yesterday, President Buhari said while his administration was making efforts to improve the economy, it was difficult to talk about the present without reference to the past.

He blamed the current economic recession in the country on the inability of past governments to plan and save for the rainy day.

“Fellow compatriots, as you celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, I salute your steadfastness in spite of the difficult economic times the country is going through.

“The lessons of the Eid are piety and sacrifice and, my dear brothers and sisters, you have exhibited these in equal measure.

“The present recession is as a result of cumulative effects of worldwide economic downturn and failure in the past to plan and save for difficult times. It is impossible to separate the present from the past to appreciate the extent to which mistakes of the past are affecting everyday life today,” the president stated.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to changing the fortunes of the country while reeling out some measures his administration was taking to stimulate the economy.

“I assure you that this administration is working round the clock to remove the hardship the country is going through.

“Rail and road constructions, projects in the housing sector, support for farmers and for small and medium scale industries, youth and women empowerment programmes, and support for the revival of industries are all designed to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standards of ordinary people,” Buhari stated.

He declared that his government was making steady progress on two of the three cardinal agenda of his administration.

“We are getting security right. We are stopping corruption in its tracks and we will get the economy right by the Grace of God,” he added.

While wishing Nigerians a happy holiday, the president enjoined Muslims to live by the dictates of Islam, to keep good relationships with their Christian brothers and sisters and to maintain the spirit of the Nigerian nation as patriots.

I