The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has appealed to political and religious leaders to use religion as a tool to foster harmonious coexistence and national development in the country.
Abubakar, who made the appeal in Bida, Niger, on Tuesday said: “religion can as well be used to bring about national development and peaceful co-existence among the different divergent groups in the country’’.
He said that the two major religions of the world, Islam and Christianity, preached peace and enjoined Nigerians to continue to maintain peace at all times.
“Both Islam and Christianity abhor violence, as such their adherents should put into practice what they teach and learn,’’ he said.
He urged adherents of the two religions to join hands to unit Nigerians, and advised Muslims to pray fervently during the fourth coming Idir-Kabir celebration toward sustaining peace in the country.
“There will be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour, but with sustained prayers the country will move forward,’’ he noted.
The royal father noted also that the whole country belonged to all Nigerians, noting that all should support the government to enable it Nigeria to move to greater heights.
Abubakar said that violence could solve any problem no matter the level of disagreement, adding that dialogue had always been a reliable means of resolving contentious issues.
“It is only through dialogue that they can table their grievances for the government to understand them better and find the means of responding to their demands.’’
The traditional ruler advised public office holders to make sure that they follow their manifestos and execute projects that had direct bearing on their electorate.
“Elected leaders in the country should rather focus attention on how to better the lives of Nigerians through the execution of development projects, rather than focusing on how to amass wealth to themselves.
“People should remember that no kobo go to their graves with them after death; as such they should do good things that they would be remember for after death.’’ ?
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