Nigeria: Sultan, Onaiyekan In Jos to Broker Peace

December 17, 2008

Author: Mahmud Lalo

Source: All Africa

http://allafrica.com/stories/200812170410.html

Abbas Jimoh & Ahmed Mohammed — Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar and Most Reverend John Onaiyekan, both co-chairmen of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), yesterday kicked off peace and reconci-liatory process between Mus-lim and Christian communi-ties in Plateau State following the recent crisis in Jos over local government council elections.

Members of NIREC were in Jos yesterday to commise-rate with the state govern-ment and the people of the state over the loss of lives and properties as a result of the crisis.

The sultan said what hap-pened in Jos was embarras-sing, total madness and sha-meful, and therefore advised Governor Jang to safeguard the interest of everybody and ensure that justice must be done to avoid future recuren-ce.

He challenged Nigerian lea-ders to fight poverty and un-employment in order to reduce tension in the country.

In his remarks, Most Reverend John Onaiyekan said the problem in Jos is man-made, and "since it is man-made is within our control". He advised the people to learn to be patient and cooperate with one another to forge ahead. He also called on religious lea-ders to always preach peace, justice, forgiveness and more importantly loving one ano-ther irrespective of religious, ethnic or tribal sentiments.