President of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah has expressed satisfaction with President Buhari’s efforts at eradicating “religious extremism”.
At a meeting on the sidelines of the African Conference for Peace, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Shaykh Bayyah said the world must collaborate with President Buhari in that regard.
The President, who had earlier been invested with the African Award for Strengthening the Peace, was described by the Shaykh as a “symbol and icon of leadership and integrity”, who would remain an inspiration even after leaving office.
“You are doing a great job in that regard, and it is something we need to do wherever such rears it’s head round the world,” Shaykh Bayyah said.
To have invited President Buhari to Abu Dhabi within the twilight months of his presidency, the Shaykh acknowledged that the Nigerian leader had varied experiences, as a military leader, and as a two-term democratically-elected President. His input, Shayk Bayyah said, would be appreciated in any society.
President Buhari recounted efforts made by his administration to extirpate the Boko Haram ideology in Nigeria, wondering why the group, along with Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) were hellbent on splitting Nigeria.
“Boko Haram is false,” the President insisted.
“You say Western education is ungodly. It’s fraudulent. Whoever is financing them just wants to split the country. All the grounds they seized before we came have been recovered, and the rebuilding process is going on well,” he added.
Bello Wakili
