Kogi Governor Declares Public Holiday Over Buhari’s Return

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has declared Monday public holiday over the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.

Buhari returned to the country on Saturday after spending about 103 days in London, for “medical follow-up”.

The governor in a statement by his spokesman, Kingsley Fanwo, on Sunday, urged the people of the state to use the holiday to pray for the president as he resumes duty on Monday.

Bello described the president as “an African icon who is a nightmare to corruption” celebrated for “his vision and commitment to the greatness of Nigeria”.

He thanked the people of Kogi for coming out in numbers to welcome Buhari as he returned from the United Kingdom on Saturday.

“The gesture is in line with the support of Kogi people for the renaissance of our nation by Mr President,” the statement read.

“We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for Mr President as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria.

“Nigeria was almost a globally blacklisted state due to institutionalized corruption until the advent of the man whom world leaders respect as the antidote for corruption came on the stage to reverse the trend. Mr Integrity is the singular reason the world is having hope in a prosperous Nigeria,” Bello said.

“Let me thank Nigerians for standing firmly with the man who has restored their hopes. Nigerians prayed fervently for the recovery of Mr President and their prayers have been answered.

“With the return of Mr President, we are re-assured that good governance will continue to be the lot of our nation.”

He also thanked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo “who has displayed competence, loyalty and patriotism throughout his stint.”

“It is a testimony that our party is a gourd of great leaders,” the governor added.

“We are witnessing a transition from a badly damaged economy to recovery. We are seen how gradually, the federal government is rebounding the economy of our great nation. Economic growth is gradually becoming visible. Nigeria will continue to witness progress.”