By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto and President General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged the federal government to rescind the ban on importation of rice and vehicles through land borders.
Abubakar made the call yesterday in Sokoto when he received the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who paid him a courtesy call in his Palace.
He said the traditional rulers in the country would continue to serve as the voices of the voiceless.
“And in this direction, we are calling on the federal government to look into some recent policies that will further tighten the noose on the necks of Nigerians.
“Nigerians are already going through difficult times and policies should not be taken to further aggravate the suffering of Nigerians. This will also avoid disharmony between the government and the governed.”
Abubakar specifically cited the ban on the importation of rice and vehicles through land borders.
He noted that the policies had further aggravated the suffering of Nigerians, saying the policies should be relaxed.
He assured the government their continued support, prayers and wise counsel to the government, at all levels, to sustain peaceful co-existence and socio economic development.
“We will always work for the peace, unity, stability and the even socio-economic development of Nigeria. We are also assuring the government of our sustained, total support, loyalty and commitment to the federal government to provide credible leadership to Nigerians.
“This is to help in seeing to the spiritual and temporal development of Nigerians. This is much better than the use of force. The crown of the leader is the welfare of his people.”
Osinbajo also maintained that agriculture and solid minerals held the keys to the efficient diversification of the economy of the nation.
“The development of agriculture and agro-allied value chains are key in this direction. Sokoto state is in the forefront of agricultural revolution to bring back Nigeria on the path of sustainable development. Agencies of the federal government would continue to facilitate trade and commerce in the nation.”
Speaking on his 60 years anniversary, the acting President said “I have just joined the club of people who would no longer call themselves as young men.”
Also speaking, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had earlier congratulated the Acting President for clocking 60 years.
“We are fervently praying God to give him the good health and strength to continue to provide leadership to Nigerians,” he said.
At the palace, prayers were offered for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.
