Some religious leaders in Lagos on Sunday urged Nigerians to promote the culture of unity and live peacefully among themselves..
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the security challenges in the country.
Alhaji Wahab Sanusi, the Chief Imam of Central Mosque Ojo-Alaba, Lagos, said that the spate of bombings that rocking some parts of the country?and led to the death of many Nigerians would hinder economic growth.
Sanusi urged those involved in the violent acts?to give peace a chance, adding that such dastardly acts could threaten the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
He pleaded with Nigerians, irrespective of their religion differences, to tolerate one another and see themselves as brothers and sisters.
Pastor Casmir Ohanu?of Glory Latter Days Assembly, Okokomaiko,?Lagos, said that?Nigerians should “strive to utilise the strength in our unity to move the country forward’’.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????He
He said that the spate of bombings and killings in the country was worrisome and should be the concern of everyone.
“'If we must succeed as a nation, we must put behind us our individual differences and devise ways of moving the nation forward.''
Rev.Fr. Felix Apine of St. Monica Catholic Church, Iyanaisashi, Lagos, said that the rate of intolerance in some areas was alarming and should be handled with care.
According to him, where there is no love, there will be no peace, and where there is no peace, there is bound to be disunity which lays the foundation for chaos.
Apine said that it was necessary for all Nigerians to put aside their grievances and support the Federal Government’s transformation agenda for economic growth.
He urged those behind the incessant bombings and killings in the country to desist from such acts of violence and embrace peace and dialogue.
In his comment, Rev. Fr. James Ugo of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Iyanaisashi, urged Nigerians to always pray for peace and unity of the country.
He said that the current security challenges in the country called for divine intervention from God.
Ugo, who noted that the main reason for any unrest was intolerance, advised Nigerians to embrace tolerance as “our starting point of pursuing peace’’.
“If we must move forward from where we are now as a nation, we must all prepare to take bold steps to tolerate one another and live in peace.'' (NAN)
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