The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to ensure lasting peace and unity in the country.
The Information and Orientation Minister, Mr Labaran Maku said this in Lafia on Monday when he paid a condolence visit to Gov. Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State.
NAN reports that the purpose of the visit was also to condole the people and government over the recent communal crisis in some parts of the state which resulted in loss of lives and property.
The minister stressed the need for warring communities in the Nasarawa and other parts of the country to embrace dialogue and continue to be tolerant.
He noted the need to live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.
“Peace and unity is a veritable tool of national development; we must strive to maintain it for the state and the nation to move forward.
?“We strongly need peace for the us to move forward, no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour,’’ he said.
He said that for continued peace, “we must learn to love one another and shun all forms of violence for the country to remain one indivisible, united entity.’’
Maku enjoined the people to be their brother’s keepers and strive to work as a family to develop the young State.
The minister also assured the governor of his unflinching support to anything that would bring lasting peace to Nasarawa State “for the young State to grow’’.
He also called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.
Maku said that sustained prayers would allow the nation to overcome all devilish acts that would not allow for peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.?????
“Sustained prayers by our clerics will assist the security agents in the country to overcome all the security challenges as God Almighty will expose the heartless bad eggs in our midst.”
Responding, Almakura thanked the minister for the prompt response and for commiserating with him and the people of the state over the unfortunate crisis.
He assured the minister that the government was doing everything possible to bring the situation under control.’’
The governor informed the minister that he had set up a committee to investigate the cause of the crisis and vowed that the perpetrators would be punished. (NAN)