Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari as he grapples with the challenges of managing an economy in recession.

This was just as he assured that over 100,000 youths and women would be empowered through programmes lined up by the state government.

Addressing the people who accompanied him to Government House after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers in Lokoja, yesterday, the governor said his administration was youth-based, adding that over 100,000 youths and women would be empowered so as to prevent Abuja-based politicians from using them to cause crisis in the state.

Bello, who sued for peace and unity among the people, irrespective of religion and tribe, urged them to live together as one entity to enable the state enjoy the patronage of foreign investors.

“We are doing our best to woo foreign investors to the state and without absolute peace and unity among the people, the state cannot enjoy such opportunity,” the governor said.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba, who led the Eid prayers, cautioned Muslims against bad conduct.

“It is imperative for Muslims to embrace good conduct which is the basis of the Eid-El-Kabir.”

While reminding them of death that can occur at any time, the Islamic cleric charged them to love one another, saying the present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello had shown signs of improving the living standard of the people.

The Imam who prayed for Kogi State and the country at large, urged Nigerians to be patient with their leaders.