Buhari: Governance not a joke… Nigeria needs serious prayers

President Muhammadu Buhari says presiding over the affairs of the nation is not a joke, calling on Nigerians to pray for the country.

Speaking on Tuesday while breaking his fast with some members of his cabinet at the presidential villa, Buhari said prayers can assist the country to overcome its economic and security challenges.

He added that the Ramadan period provides opportunity for leaders to be more conscious of their actions.

“Leading the people is not a joke. It means accepting responsibilities for good or wrong,” he said.

“We need a lot of prayers. This month of prayers and service to God, let’s keep on these prayers all the times, believing that God in His infinite mercy will listen to our prayers, give us peace, security and better the economy once more so that we can quickly rebuild and even do more for the  country.

“With the nation’s economy going down… We haven’t developed the agriculture, we’re still trying to talk on those who’ll come and develop the solid mineral for us.”

He expressed delight that Nigeria still retains its position of being a power house on the continent, but advised the citizens to shun unpatriotic acts.

“It’s no news that we are the biggest country in Africa, we’re the economy engine of Africa, which are true by the way. But, we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others.” He said.

“It strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger and to make sure that the incoming generations are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic.”

The president advised those agitating for the sovereign state of Biafra, and the Niger Delta militants to reflect on the civil war that claimed over 2 million lives.

He praised Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, for striving to preserve the unity of the country.

“We have to reflect on the historical antecedent to appreciate what is before us now and what we intend to leave for our children and our grand children,” he said.

“The militants in their various homes need to reflect very seriously on what happened between 1967 and 1970. About two millions Nigerians lost their lives,” he said.

“And at that time, as young military officers, you hardly heard of anything about petroleum or whatever money you got from it.

“Look at what Gen. Gowon said; `To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ and every soldier whether he has been to school or not knew what the General meant. But, we were quarreling with our brothers, we were not fighting an enemy and then somebody is saying that once again he wants Biafra. I think this is because he was not born when there was Biafra.”