Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has reinforced commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence and religious harmony as fundamental to Nigeria’s prosperity and stability across Africa.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, reiterated the president’s appeal yesterday in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim.
This was as Idris disclosed that the Muslim World League, in collaboration with the Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), would today convene an international security conference in Abuja, bringing together religious leaders and other stakeholders to advance peaceful coexistence, national unity and security.
The conference holding at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, will explore the relationship between peace, security and socio-economic development, while strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding among Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths.
The minister disclosed this yesterday at the inauguration of a newly constructed Mosque in Abuja by the Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Scholars, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.
He described Sheikh Al-Issa’s visit as a demonstration of the bond between Nigeria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the international community.
Idris said the international conference is coming at an important time for Nigeria, which has continued to strengthen its national security architecture while pursuing reforms and investments aimed at accelerating socio-economic development.
He emphasised Tinubu’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, religious harmony and national unity, noting that peace and security were vital to Nigeria’s prosperity and stability across Africa.
“The President is determined to ensure peace and tranquility not just in Nigeria, but around the world. This is a clear demonstration of the path that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking,” Idris said.
He noted that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, has a major responsibility to promote peace and stability across the continent, adding that a peaceful and secure Nigeria would positively influence West Africa and Africa as a whole.
Speaking again on the sidelines, Idris entreated Nigerians to unite and rise above religious, ethnic and political differences that could only worsen the security challenges confronting the country.
The minister, who declared that Nigeria needed unity now more than ever, urged Nigerians to reject violence, intolerance and attempts to exploit the country’s diversity.
“There is no time for differences. If, in our fight against insecurity, we allow religious differences, it will only exacerbate the problem. The need for us to come together as one people is important,” he said.