President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday visited Sokoto State to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The city of Sokoto, the famous seat of the caliphate, literally stood still when the president and other dignitaries including former vice president Atiku Abubakar and speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara came calling.

President Buhari who was in Sokoto to witness the Durbar event held at the Shehu Kangiwa Square in honour of Sultan’s 10th anniversary said the Sultan was a symbol of stability, peace and unity not just in the state, but also in the nation at large.
Speaking before inaugurating the N4.8bn 500-Unit Housing Estate, built by Sokoto State Government, Buhari assured that he will continue to bring sustainable development to Nigeria. He expressed confidence that the current challenges have no capacity to stop the nation’s greatness.

While assuring that his administration will sustain the fight against corruption, President Buhari added that improved security and welfare of Nigerians are amongst his cardinal objectives.

He recalled how peaceful, disciplined, patriotic and committed to national development Nigerians were in the 60s and reaffirmed his determination to restoring such patriotism.

‘’Unfortunately, the situation has changed now, but we are committed to taking Nigeria to greatness,” he said.

The president who commended the Sultan for his fearlessness and peace-making efforts which has built bridges of understanding and tolerance across borders of religion, region and ethnicity, appreciated the degree of support his government enjoys from the traditional leaders.

He expressed optimism that the nation would surely move to the next level in the speed of time when Nigerians collectively work together for peace, unity and socio-economic development of the nation.

In a speech, the Sultan assured that the traditional institution will continue to support the President Buhari’s administration in the drive to move the nation forward.

The Sultan admitted that as both traditional and religious leaders, they play advisory roles, he maintained that, the nation has committed leadership at all level that needed to be should be supported.

The Sultan urged those clamouring for restructuring of Nigeria to have a rethink noting that “we all have no other country aside Nigeria. At occasion like this, one could be frightened to lack what to say but it is most important that we appreciate Almighty Allah for His blessings. At least, the gathering today is a clear indication that we are gathered here today to foster unity, solidarity and show love as one people created by one God Almighty.

“We have had book launch to mark the event and looking at the gathering, one would believe that the trademark here in Sokoto within the last week showed the unity of Nigeria. Those clamoring for a divided Nigeria should see this today.

“We want to thank you all for the love, confidence and faith. If we have been doing wrong, nobody would have been here today. We have no other country but this, therefore, we should be able to do what we can to make us stay together in peace.

“When things go wrong, we will come up to tell and advise and when things go right, we will sit at the back and thank God, hence we have just started the beginning of a long journey to free Nigeria.

“We will support President Muhammadu Buhari, hundred percent. We have committed leaders at all levels and it is our duties to support them” he added.

In a speech at the occasion, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal declared that President Buhari was on the right track towards putting Nigeria on the sound pedestal of development.