By Adamu Yusuf
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has called on citizens to continue living in peace and harmony regardless of their religious or ethnic differences, stressing that unity remains vital for sustainable development.
He made the appeal during the Second Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) at its premises in Kaduna.
The lecture was themed “Peaceful Coexistence and Patriotism: The Islamic Perspective.”
The governor, who was represented at the event by the Director-General of the Bureau for Religious Affairs (Islamic Matters), Mallam Tahir Tahir, emphasised that peaceful coexistence among citizens is essential for maintaining stability and promoting development across the state.
He commended KSMC for organising the lecture and encouraged residents to support initiatives aimed at sustaining the prevailing peace in Kaduna.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and former Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, called on Nigerians to shun hatred and embrace peaceful coexistence.
He also commended KSMC and its Director-General, Ben Kure, for organising the programme and promoting unity across religious lines.
In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, stressed the need for tolerance and mutual respect among Nigerians.
He recalled that Muslims and non-Muslims once lived peacefully together and noted that leaders such as Ahmadu Bello and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa achieved remarkable successes through understanding and cooperation.
The monarch urged Nigerians to remain open-minded and maintain cordial relationships to promote peace and development.
He also advised religious leaders to intensify efforts in preaching unity and ensure they are well informed to properly guide their followers.
Delivering the Ramadan lecture, the Chief Imam of Al-Mannar Mosque, Sheikh Tukur Adam, highlighted the importance of peace in society.
He explained that humanity was created to worship God and that such devotion can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
According to the cleric, conflicts often lead to the destruction of places of worship and prevent people from practicing their faith freely.
He cited global tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States as examples where violence has affected communities and religious institutions.
Sheikh Tukur Adam urged Nigerians to embrace unity and patriotism, stressing that since Nigeria is their homeland, citizens must strive to live together peacefully and avoid actions capable of destabilising the country. Rather than cursing leaders or the nation, he advised citizens to become ambassadors of positive change.
The Islamic scholar also called on government authorities to ensure justice by punishing criminals regardless of their status, noting that failure to hold offenders accountable often contributes to rising crime.
He further urged leaders to govern with fairness, justice and the fear of God while leaving positive legacies for future generations.
According to him, peaceful societies are essential for economic growth, religious practice and social cohesion.
He also tasked religious leaders to deliver responsible messages, stressing that both the Qur’an and other religious teachings promote peace and condemn violence and unlawful killings.
Sheikh Adam reminded the audience that every individual will account for their actions on the Day of Judgment and advocated the reintroduction of Nigerian history into primary and secondary school curricula to help younger generations understand the country’s heritage and culture of peaceful coexistence.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Mayaki, emphasised the importance of religious scholars being well educated so they can properly guide their followers.
He noted that misleading messages sometimes contribute to societal conflicts and pledged continued support for the programme.
Earlier, the Director-General of KSMC, Ben Kure, highlighted the crucial role of the media in promoting peace and safeguarding national unity.
He urged journalists to uphold professional ethics and ensure responsible reporting that does not inflame religious or ethnic tensions.
Kure also commended the media for keeping the public informed and encouraged them to continue promoting messages of peace, stressing that Nigeria remains the only country its citizens share.
In her vote of thanks, the Chairperson of the organising committee and Executive Director of Radio Services at KSMC, Farida Abubakar, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event.
She appreciated Governor Uba Sani, the Emir of Zazzau, former Governor Ramalan Yero, Sheikh Tukur Adam and other dignitaries for honouring the invitation and contributing to the discourse on peace.
Farida Abubakar also thanked members of the organising committee and participating religious organisations for their support in making the programme a success.
