• As Buhari says Osinbajo will continue as acting president 
• President thanks Nigerians, pledges to rededicate self to protecting their interests

The acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday in Sokoto, called on stakeholders in the country to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), to stabilise the economy.

Osinbajo made the appeal when he opened a two-day nationwide MSMEs Clinic.

He said,” being one of the cardinal points of the present administration, it is important to deepen all of our engagements into agriculture which is what the government is focusing on.”

Osinbajo implored federal agencies like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to partner the small and medium business owners.

This, he said, would ensure that those making local products got to the formal market.

“The small and medium business owners should partner with all the government agencies by registering their businesses so as to get their products to the formal market.

“This country will soon pull out of recession; we have resources of every kind – gypsum, potassium – and there is no reason this country should not be the wealthiest in the world.

“We must grow what we eat and wear what we produce, ” he said.

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, said that the clinic was aimed at looking into the comparative advantage on what the MSMEs were doing to improve their performances.

Abubakar said,” This is why the government agencies are brought forward to help improve the MSME business owners.”

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal commended the Federal Government for using the clinic to galvanise the sector in the states.

Tambuwal explained,”This would improve the cardinal injection to the development of N2 billion MSME loan with the Bank of Industry.”

In the meantime, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he will not resume power immediately and instead leave his deputy in charge after returning from nearly two months’ medical leave in Britain.

A Nigerian Air Force jet carrying the 74-year-old landed at the airport in the northern city of Kaduna at about 7:40 am (0640 GMT). He was then flown by helicopter to Abuja.

In the capital, the head of state, looking gaunt in a billowing black kaftan, stepped off the helicopter and walked across the tarmac to be greeted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He also met security chiefs and senior government officials before being driven away in a black official car to meet his cabinet and officials of his ruling All Progressives Congress party.

At the meeting, he did not give any indication of what illness he was suffering from but said “I have received, I think, the best of treatment I could receive.

“I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man,” he added, referring to “blood transfusions, going to the laboratories and so on and so forth”.

But he said he was “pleased to be back”, although he disclosed that he may need “further follow-up within some weeks”.

Buhari’s return from London was announced on Thursday evening and he said he “came back towards the weekend, so that the vice president will continue and I will continue to rest”.

No timeline was given for how long Osinbajo, who was officially conferred powers as acting president, would be in charge.

Former military ruler Buhari flew to London on January 19, officially on holiday and to have what his office said were “routine medical check-ups” for an undisclosed condition.

But while he was away, aides had to counter persistent rumours online that he was seriously ill or even dead, despite photographs showing him meeting senior Nigerian politicians.

In addition, President Buhari says the only way to repay Nigerians for their prayers for his good health is for him to rededicate himself to serving them, protecting their interests and keeping their trust.

The president, who made his feelings known at a brief reception organised in his honour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, expressed grateful to all Nigerians both the Muslims and Christians alike.

According to him, the constant and persistent prayers embarked upon by Nigerians over his health conditions is a testimony for their love for him and the nation.

“I am deeply grateful to all Nigerians Muslims and Christians alike who have prayed and continue to pray for my good health.

“This is a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced Nigerians support the government in its efforts to tackle our country’s challenges.

“The best way me to pay you all is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interest and keeping your trust. I thank you very much.

“I feel much better now,’’ Buhari said.

The President revealed that he might be going back to London in the next few weeks for a follow-up to his routine medical check-up.

He, however, advised that Nigerians should stay behind and continue praying for his good health and progress of the nation rather than  coming to greet him in Abuja.

NAN with additional report from Punch