As Muslims and Christians in Nigeria pray for the health of President Muhammadu Buhari and the welfare of the nation, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has extolled the high patriotic zeal of Nigerians.

The governor described the series of prayer and fasting sessions organised by both Muslims and Christians in Katsina State and other parts of the country as a demonstration of the high level of the patriotism of Nigerians, adding that it is a mark of committed citizenship to constantly remember one’s nation and its leaders in prayers.

Masari, in a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, said: “Two parameters determine the progress of a nation, and these are the level of its citizens’ education and the degree of their patriotism.
“There is no gain saying that no nation can develop beyond the level of the education and patriotism of its people. These parameters are non-negotiable; they are what propelled the advanced nations to where they are today. Whatever the challenges of a society may be, the collective resolve of the people is sufficient enough to overcome it.”

The Governor, who reassured that the government was doing everything possible to address the current economic downturn affecting many parts of the world, urged Nigerians not to relent in their goodwill to the President and the nation.

He gave kudos to the Federal Government’s Green Alternative policy designed to make Nigeria an agricultural power house capable of competing with the leading agriculture producing countries in the world in the very near future.

Masari however cautioned those nursing ill feelings towards the President and the nation to roll back their hatred, saying that whatever affects the President would affect the nation.

On the war against corruption waged at both federal and state levels, he said the essence is not only block leakages from public treasuries but also to prevent present and future office holders from helping themselves illegally from the commonwealth.