The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Dr Garba Abari has taken peace building and national stability campaign to Kano Emirate, Council of Ulama and Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) ahead of Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections billed to hold on 18th March, 2023 nation wide.
Speaking at the Kano Emir’s Palace, Dr. Abari said peace, unity and stability are not negotiable for National development.
He further said few weeks to Presidenial and National Assemblies elections, the Agency has observed with concern the rate at which citizens were making vituperative comments and spreading fake news that can heat up the polity.
“Nigerians have shamed those making pessimistic comment about unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria as nation.
“Few weeks before Presidential and National Assemblies Elections, everyone, and in everywhere people talked about Nigeria’s elections the pressure was so high, as if entire Nigeria will engulf by fire, but fortunately the elections conducted in a very peaceful atmosphere. We thank God this favour and I strongly believed those seeking Nigeria to disintegrate will never succeed,” the DG stated.
He described traditional and religious leaders as key relevant stakeholders in peace building and national development.
He lamented that insecurity is bedeviling the country, noting that insecurity had destabilized norms and values of some areas particularly, North Eastern part of the country.
The NOA boss, revealed that the chose of Kano to engage Religious and Traditional leaders is tactical and deliberate, stressing that the state has large media presence and very populous.
In his response, the Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by Madakin Kano, Alhaji Yusufu Nabahani Cigari said preaching peace and unity is part of the cardinal principle of Kano Emirate, assured that the Emirate will extend the peace message of NOA to all District Heads in Kano, to have violence free elections in the state.
Also speaking, the Co- Secretary of Kano Council of Ulama, Dr. Sa’id Ahmad Dukawa, explained that the Council is Faith based organisation responsible for coordinating Muslim Affairs.
He stated the Council’s readiness to work with NOA towards having rancour free elections in Kano
“We will engage all Friday Mosque Imams to preach peace building message this coming Friday, no society will developed in chaos and disorder,” he further stated.
In his response, the Chairman, Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop John Namaza Niyiring applauded the DG Boss and his entourage for chosen Kano to conduct peace building campaign.
He added that Kano has been relevant in Nigeria’s Politics and Peace.
The Chairman said Christians in Kano are law abiding citizens, stressing that peace is the root cause of economic, political and social development.
He urged the Agency to sustain its tempo even after election to continue to preach peace and stability.
Niyiring noted that CAN under his leadership will give cooperation to NOA to successfully achieve its desired goals.
