By Adenike Lucas
President Muhammadu Buhari led today’s greetings to millions of Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha in Nigeria.
Eid al-Adha which marks the end of the Hajj Pilgrimage in the Holy City of Mecca falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.
In a message issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Nigerians were assured of the effort being made to resolve the current recession.
“I assure you that this administration is working round the clock to remove the hardships the country is going through,” part of the message reads.
The President made it known that there are plans for “rail and road constructions, projects in the housing sector, support for farmers and for small and medium scale industries, youth and women’s empowerment programmes, support for revival of industries are all designed to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standards of ordinary people.”
Nigeria which is Africa’s biggest oil producer and the fifth highest exporter of oil in the world is facing economic challenges due to illegal oil bunkering leading to low production and the constant fail in oil prices across the globe.
In his message, President Buhari said: “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,” he went on to add.
Stating that the “lessons of the Eid are piety and sacrifice and, my dear brothers and sisters, you have exhibited these in equal measure,” he gave more reassurances of the plans to fix the economy.
“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 said.
“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 President of the legislative upper chamber, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki also “felicitated with Muslims faithful in the country as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.”
In a message signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu , his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Saraki begged “Nigerians to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of one, united and developed country”.
“Truly, times are tough, but we are a tough people too. Therefore, I have no doubt that we shall overcome our present economic setback sooner than anticipated, if we all commit to the ideals of nation building,2 he said.
“I also enjoin every one of us to contribute in strengthening the bond of unity and oneness that exists among us. This, I believe, will spur us to avoid negative tendencies that could derail our efforts at ensuring faster economic revival and socio-political stability.”
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