By Shakirudeen Bankole(Content editor, The New Diplomat)
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, reiterated he has heard the “loud cries” of the Nigerian youths, and that his administration is now more than ready to address their demands.
Buhari made the plea, while hosting a delegation of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, at the State House.
At the meeting were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Emir of Kano, Emir of Fika, Tor Tiv, Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Ruler, and other notable kings and title holders in the country.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President sought the support and corporation of the royal fathers to achieve and drive his administration’s development and growth plans for the Nigerian youths.
Buhari, “we have heard the loud cries of our youth and children, and we are attending to their concerns,” he said, adding that, to succeed in all of this, “we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message.
“Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful,” he stressed.
Insisting that traditional rulers remain the “guardians of our traditional values and culture,” the President stressed that their role is not only critical in the quest for national development, their impartiality must suffice at all times.
He urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”
To actualize his plan for the youths, Buhari said he will be drafting his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, to lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process. He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives.
“I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service.”
