President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians not to see their diversity as a source of unhealthy rivalry but as a source strength, peace and national development.
He gave the plea on Friday at the Abuja National Mosque at a public lecture and Special Juma’at prayer as part of activities marking the nation’s 58th Independence Day celebration.
The lecture, Daily Trust learnt, was organised by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.
President Buhari, who was represented by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, urged Nigerians to de-emphasize cultural and religious affiliations to enhance peace and national cohesion.
He said that Nigerians should embrace genuine dialogue as panacea to the attainment of sustainable peace, progress and development.
The Sultan of Sokoto said the aim of the lecture was to bring together the Executive, Legislative, Judiciary, security agencies and Muslim stakeholders under one roof to chart a way forward for the country.
He urged Muslim politicians to strive to contribute to peace and development of the country irrespective of the positions they may found themselves.
“We are here as Muslims, not members of APC, PDP, SDP or any political party. We are here to chart a way forward for this country to be better than what we are now because development is a continuous process. Politicians should do what Mr Awolowo did for the then Western Nigeria and stop making noise over who Awolowo was.
“We remember with nostalgia the good days of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and others. These were leaders and statesmen who believed in Nigeria and who worked closely with one another to make Nigeria a better country. We must emulate them; we must follow their footsteps to move our nation forward,” the Sultan said.
The event also witnessed a special prayer, led by the Murshid (General-Overseer) of the Abuja National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanci, for continued peace, progress and development of the country.
