ABUJA- The All Nigeria Peoples Party’s (ANPP) Presidential Candidate in the 2007 election Muhammadu Buhari has called for deep reflection on the economy as the nation celebrates its 48th independence anniversary.
Buhari in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja said: “Dear compatriots, I do not need to remind you that this is the only country we have, we must salvage her together.”
The former head of state noted that the Ramadan fasting ended a few days to the independence anniversary, adding that it was an act of “providence”. He said that the country could be better ranked if the human and material resources were adequately harnessed for growth.
Buhari, however, expressed regret that Nigeria was still ranked a low income country after many years of independence.
On democracy, he said that the rights of the people must always be upheld to ensure the sanctity of the system. Meanwhile, the Salla festivity was low key in Kano due to the prevailing economic hardship faced by residents.
Investigation showed that the usual food sharing during Salla was not as common as in previous years.
Malam Haruna Lawal, a resident of Gwangwazo quarters, told newsmen that during the last Salla his wife cooked five measures of rice which she distributed to neighbours and relations. He said that the situation this year was different because “we cooked only two measures due to the high cost of vegetable used to make the stew”. Hajiya Hauwa Halilu, a housewife, said that she could not believe it when the whole of Monday passed with just two varieties of food brought to her house. According to Hauwa, usually nothing less than 20 varieties of food from people are received from different families.
“We usually eat for the whole day and even put some aside for the next day, but this Salla I don’t understand what is happening.”
She added that Salla had been identified with food distribution, but this year people struggle to eat whatever was available to them. Malam Hussaini Abubakar, blamed the situation on the deteriorating world economy, noting that people were in a difficult situation. He urged wealthy individuals to double their efforts in providing assistance to people, especially in terms of food.
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