Nigerians leaders have been urged to collectively work together to end insecurity and shrine lasting peace in society.
The Imam of the Izala Central Mosque in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria, Sheikh Bashir Salihu Abuga gave the charge during a sermon to mark the end of Ramadan at the Cultural Centre Complex ground.
Stem violence
Sheikh Abuga condemned the spate of violence in the northeast perpetuated by Boko Haram and the killing of security personnel in the southeast as well as herders-farmers clashes including kidnappings for ransom across the country.
Abuga reasoned, “the way that insecurity has risen in recent times is alarming. The situation across the country is getting worse by the day. Bandits demand ransom from farmers before they can harvest their crops in the north, kidnappings everyday and we hear of herders-farmers clashes even in the southwest.
“In the southeast, secessionists are targeting security personnel and many people are living in fear because our leaders have not been able to fulfil the promises of security they made. So, I am using this medium to urge all our leaders to work together and tackle the security challenges in Nigeria,” he urged.
The cleric commended Governor Ben Ayade for taking a pragmatic approach and establishes a joint taskforce that has been working hard to see peace returns to Cross River.
He urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria, urging them to share food with their neighbours and less privilege amongst them as each person would give account of his stewardship to God.
“I urge all Muslims especially those in Cross River to continue to live in peace with our neighbours. As we celebrate the end of Ramadan, I encourage you to share food with your neighbours and friends as well as all the less privileged around you irrespective of religion of tribe,” Abuga said.
Peaceful season
In an interview, the Secretary of the Hausa/Muslim Community in Cross River State, Shaban Abdullahi described the just ended Ramadan as very peaceful despite the security challenges.
Abdullahi, who noted that the history of the Hausa community in Calabar particularly spanned more than a century, said “we have never experienced any ethnic or religious crisis here, which goes to show you that we have a very cordial relationship with our host.”
“We have always taken part in Utomo Obong, the annual cultural tribute held in honour of the Obong of Calabar. The Hausa Community get the invitation annually and we always attend that function in our numbers. The Qur’an tells us to respect constituted authority and the Obong is one and that is why we respect him,” the secretary said.
According to him, “Governor Ben Ayade and others before him have always had good relationship with us and we do not see that changing. Because our forefathers, who settled here more than one hundred years ago bequeathed to us the need for peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and respect for our ethnic differences and that is how we have been in Cross River, cordial, peaceful relationship.”
He advised citizens and residents of Cross River to continue to maintain the peace and cordial relationship as well as adopt dialogue as a means of conflict resolution in any case.
Muslim families were seen visiting families, friend and taking pictures around recreation spots, while others were observed distributing food packs to neighbours, friends and people with special needs.
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