Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Unity and tolerance are crucial values needed to safeguard peace and stability in a multi-religious society like Nigeria.
Osinbajo stated this Wednesday, when he received a delegation of Imams, Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders from all over the country at the presidential villa Abuja.
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The delegation of more than 25 Islamic clerics, intellectuals and leaders of different groups led by Prof. Siraj Abdulkarim from Amadu Bello University Zaria,
was drawn from higher institutions, National Council of Ulamas, Qadiriyya Movement, Fitiyanul Islam of Nigeria, Dariya Sect, National Council of Muslim Youths, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Jammat Tajdidul Islamy, Salafiyya Youth Movement, Imams from the National Mosque and Legislative Quarters in Apo, Abuja among others.
At the meeting which turned out to be an exciting interactive session between the Islamic leaders and the Vice President, issues such as how to promote Nigeria’s unity were tabled and discussed.
Prof. Siraj Abdulkarim also noted that the unnecessary rivalry between Christians and Muslims has to be doused and called on the Vice President to initiate a programme that will further promote understanding and unity. He also called for a more invigorating fight against corruption in the country.
The Vice President asked members of the delegation to suggest ways for the country to attain unity and added that the interaction with members of the delegation and such other groups in the country will not be a one-off.
Prof. Osinbajo urged religious and political elites to show more responsibility to ensuring peace and positive changes in society.
He suggested “the creation of a forum of religious leaders who see themselves more on a rescue mission with the purpose of forging more understanding,” among the citizenry.
The number two citizen also noted that Nigeria is a country with both Muslim and Christian population and that in the Southwest, both religions are practised in many families. He asked Christians and Muslims to preach love and tolerance.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
