The President, Nigeria Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has called on all relevant authorities in Nigeria to work hard in tackling insecurity, hunger, poverty and all the negative vices afflicting Nigeria.
The Sultan made the call during a courtesy call on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on the sideline of the third National Summit of Peaceful Coexistence and Nation Building organized by Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria.
He said it was possible to tackle the numerous challenges the country faced at the moment by the will of God, through tolerance and understanding of one another by Nigerians.
The 3rd Summit of Peace by the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria, an amalgamation of almost 52 Da’awa groups across the country and a fundamental pillar for joint Islamic action, has its theme hinged on Peaceful Coexistence, Social Cohesion and Nation Building.
According to the Sultan, the conference is significant, because it is an opportunity to gather Muslim groups together to discuss the way forward for the Muslims in the country.
“It is a very important conference because all the Muslim groups will sit down, discuss on what is the way forward for the Muslim ummah in the country, strategize on how to achieve stability and development in this great country that Allah put us together as Muslims, Christians and Atheists, people who don’t even believe there is God. We most all live together peacefully, that is one of the reasons why this conference goes round,” Said Sultan Abubakar.
He said Nigerians could work together and forge a common front when they understood each other.
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According to Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, the selfish interest of a few who manipulate the gullible Nigerians into religious and ethnic violence led Nigeria to its present predicament.
He gave the assurances that his administration would continue to ensure the sustenance of peace, but advised everyone to be cautious of the lawlessness in the country so that at the end of the day it does not consume the nation.
“This fight is everybody’s fight. We must come together, we must join hands and we must struggle to make sure we succeed because nobody else will come and do it for us. The only thing for all these crises, Your Eminence, is tied to the elites and leadership, both traditional and political,” Governor Yahaya said.
Speaking at the Peace Summit, where many Christian clergies and laymen, as well as traditional rulers, were invited, the Sultan spoke extensively about the socio-economic challenges bedeviling the country, saying the issue of hunger should be addressed squarely, “because a hungry man is an angry man.”
Sultan Abubakar charged both Muslim and Christian clerics to preach and practice what the Holy Books prescribed for the peaceful coexistence of the society.
Equally invited was the Nigerian Prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was represented by Reverend Father Joseph Shinga.
According to him, Nigeria is going through difficult times in terms of social integration and cohesion, where suspicion, religious bigotry and sentiments seem to be the order of the day.
He, however, called on Nigerians on the need to stay together in peace and coexist side by side in mutual respect.
“I congratulate the DCCN for deeming it fit to bring up such a topic of great relevance to the growth of our nation. I call on all to put hands on deck to make sure that this country stays together rather than divided”, Cardinal Onaiyekan said.
For the President and Founder, Al-Ansar Foundation, Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, the theme of the summit was sensitive, important and timely, apt and relevant to the current challenges facing Nigeria.
He is convinced that the issue of peaceful co-existence and nation-building would be tackled from various perspectives, through the presentations by different groups and personalities during the summit, consequently urging participants to be open-minded to learn new ways and approaches of tackling the mistrust among different ethnic nationalities and religious beliefs.
Dr. Dikwa said the peaceful co-existence and nation-building was a collective responsibility of every citizen and the responsibility of leaders was to bridge the gap and reduce the factors that triggered mistrust, hatred and bigotry between different ethnic nationalities and religious adherents.
“For peace to thrive in our societies, issues that border on human relations must be addressed both at the local, state and federal government levels. And we must commend DCCN for its efforts at ensuring that peace and harmony thrive in Nigeria. What is happening in Nigeria today leaves us in no doubt that there is an urgent need for the pursuance of lasting peace, security, confidence and mutual understanding in our nation,” said Dr. Dikwa.
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