*Kogi declare public holiday
The Kogi State government has declared Monday, August 21 as a public holiday for citizens to thank God for safely returning President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.
The Director -General, media and publicity to the state governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said it was to enable the people to give thanks to God for returning Buhari in sound health and sound mind.
He said that decision was also in line with the support the people of the state had been giving to Buhari in his efforts at correcting the ills of the past and putting the nation on sound economic footing.
“ We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for Mr. President as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria, “ the statement said.
The statement quoted the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as thanking the people for for standing by the President while undergoing treatment in London and for trooping to Abuja to welcome the him.
APC’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni has also lauded the president’s return, describing it is a soothing balm on the tensed atmosphere in the country.
Oni made this known in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Steve Alabi in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Oni said, “Seeing President Muhammad Buhari in good health has put a lie to the wishes of those who don’t wish the country well.”
The APC chieftain congratulated the President for the recovery and wished him robust health as he continues to give quality leadership to the country.
Oni advised Buhari antagonists to desist from playing politics with every issue as they were not God.
“There is a particular governor in one of the South West states, who said he would commit suicide if President Buhari returned to the country alive.
“Now that our leader is back into the country, not only alive but agile and ready to resume his Presidential seat, when are we going to read or hear the news of his suicide in the dailies or on the radio and television?,” Oni asked.
Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara and chairman of Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) has commended Nigerians for their sustained prayers that led to the recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari home.
Yari described the return of President Buhari to the country as great hope for the nation.
Yari said the prayers of Nigerians showed the high level of unity in the country in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara in a to newsmen in Gusau on Sunday.
The governor also described the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari as the best event of the year.
“I commend Nigerians for their fervent prayers day and night for the speedy recovery our President
“On behalf of the entire people of Zamfara state, we are happy with the return of the president,” he said.
Yari called on Nigerians to continue to pray and support the present administration to enable it tmove the country forward.
The Young Democratic Party (YDP) has expressed delight over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after medical vacation in London.
Mrs Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, made the remark on Sunday in Abuja in a statement issued to newsmen.
She urged Buhari to swing into action to address different agitations across the country.
The statement read: “YDP is happy to see that our president is back in the country to continue the enormous task of nation building.
“President Buhari’s state of health is critical to the resuscitation of the hope of the teaming Nigerian masses.
“We implore the President to urgently address key issues to forestall the impending crises that may emanate due to different agitations across the country.
“YDP believes in the collective responsibility of citizens and government to change the narratives and protect the future of this country.
“The integrity of our national sensibility must be resisted by all, from manipulators in whatever guise, who want to continue to impoverish our country amidst plenty and cause confusion for selfish purposes.’’
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive action on contentious social, economic and political issues facing the country.
A statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani on Sunday in Abuja said divisive agitations for separation, hate speeches and threats should be holistically addressed.
Rafsanjani stressed that the issues pose grievous challenge to the peaceful-coexistence, unity and diversity of the nation.
“We are also worried by the growing social vices such as kidnapping, violent attacks and re-emerged insurgency in the country.
“We demand proactive strategies and appreciable actions by the President to secure lives and property of Nigerians.
“We are concerned by the recent but dubious trend and development in the nation’s anti-corruption fight with the emerging threats and physical attacks on anti-graft facilities and operatives.
“These attacks are sponsored by bandits, primarily to subdue or suppress existing achievements and progress in the anti-corruption fight.”
Rafsanjani said government must provide enabling environment and mechanisms to strengthen and secure anti-graft institutions and their operatives for sustainable and progressive anti-corruption fight in the country.
He said that the government should also address unemployment to tame its dreadful impact on the nation’s social, economic and political development.
Rafsanjani said the effort would complement the administration’s existing efforts to ensure progressive, productive and secure nation.
He said the group was also disturbed by the on-going industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and urged the President to adopt political solutions to end the strike and ensure uninterrupted academic activities.