Buhari to contractors: I don’t need your cheques

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged businessmen, contractors and other privileged Nigerians who are beneficiaries of government patronage to always engage in corporate social responsibility, instead of seeking to favour individuals with gifts.

President Buhari spoke in Daura, Katsina State, yesterday when he visited the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruk Umar at his palace.

“I don’t want your cheques. Go and assist our communities instead of trying to return kickbacks to public officers.

“We don’t want cheques from anyone or organisation as returns or influence of any kind. Let them remember their corporate social responsibilities,” he said in a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu.

The president noted that he would love to visit Daura more frequently, but for the high cost of presidential movements and exposing security personnel to the weather, assuring that his heart remains with the people.

“We are known for farming and I have my farm here. I could come every two weeks and no one could stop me. But the cost of the movement is high. It should rather be used to better our schools, clinics and hospitals,” the president stated.

He noted that the grace of God had kept Nigeria together as a country in spite of differences that led to a 30 months of civil war.

In his remarks, the Emir of Daura thanked the president for always creating time to visit his hometown and the palace despite his tight schedule.

At the meeting, the emir announced the conferment of the title of Talban Daura on Yusuf Buhari, the son of President Buhari. During the visit, the palace used the opportunity to clarify the difference between two titles, Talban Hausa, given to Alpha Conde, the president of Guinea and Talban Daura, designated for Yusuf, the president’s son.