Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reiterated his commitment to collaborate with religious leaders in fostering unity, understanding, and harmonious relationships among the people of the country.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, stated this at the 2023 annual central council meeting of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), held on Monday at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall, Minna.
He observed that the voices of religious leaders resonate deeply with the people and that their influence extends beyond places of worship, hence the call for support from religious leaders, which can truly guide the nation towards a path of shared values and mutual respect.
"In this noble pursuit of unity, cooperation with the government becomes paramount. We are committed to working hand in hand with religious leaders to create an environment that promotes peace and understanding," said the governor.
He appreciated the immense contributions of His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of JNI, towards fostering unity and peaceful coexistence in the country. "His leadership style has been a source of inspiration, guiding our state and the nation at large towards sustainable development, peace, and national security," the governor added.
In his address at the gathering, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of JNI, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, said the annual meeting hosted in Niger State was a historic assembly, which is a departure from the tradition of hosting it in Kaduna.
"The hosting of our annual meeting will be rotating from now onwards; this will enable us to understand our people," he said.
While sympathising with the people of Kaduna and all the Muslims over the recent loss of lives by worshippers at the Maulud celebration in the state, the JNI President General said they would seek justice for the attack.
Also speaking, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is desirous of a true and sustained reorientation of national values and attitudes, adding that experts to drive this project will be unveiled by the President early next year.
He disclosed that the project will consist of a Nigerian Promise and Citizen Codes, defining our core values as Nigerians while taking into full account our ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversities. "It will seek to entrench in all Nigerians a balanced understanding of our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the greatest black nation on earth," he added.
The Minister also disclosed that the President had sent a delegation led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to commiserate, sympathise, and empathise with the people and government of Kaduna State, particularly the inhabitants of Tudun Biri who were affected by the unfortunate incident.
He equally disclosed that the President has approved the commencement of the FULAKO Initiative, in which the Federal Government will build houses, clinics, schools, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiatives, and solar energy, among other social amenities, as part of a non-kinetic response to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North.
According to him, "Fulako Initiative is President Tinubu’s unique humanitarian response to the effects of banditry in our communities and will be implemented in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Benue states.".
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Host, who is equally the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as the JNI Vice President General, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, prayed, advised Muslims and the country at large to live in peace, and also commended the Niger State Government for being the host of the programme.
Speaking also, the Secrecy General of JNI, Professor Khalid Aliyu, said the annual gathering of the central council of JNI comprises royal fathers, Islamic scholars, and clerics, adding that JNI representatives stand as the pinnacle of the decision-making body of the organisation, shaping policies that resonate through a collective journey.