Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and unite against insecurity and other challenges confronting the country, declaring that Nigeria needs unity now more than ever. This was contained in a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Idris spoke on Tuesday on the sidelines of the International Conference on “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future,” organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in partnership with the Muslim World League in Abuja.
The Minister said the diversity of participants at the conference demonstrated a shared recognition that Nigeria’s security, stability, and prosperity depend on citizens working together across religious, ethnic and political divides.
“All of us need to come together, think as Nigerians, think as human beings, and work together, irrespective of our differences, so that we can act as one,” Idris said.
He stressed that religious and ethnic divisions would only complicate the fight against insecurity, urging Nigerians to reject violence, intolerance, and attempts to exploit the country’s diversity.
“There is no time for differences. If, in our fight against insecurity, we allow religious differences, it will only exacerbate the problem. The need for us to come together as one people is important,” he said.
Idris clarified that the conference was not organised by the Federal Government but said the government strongly welcomed initiatives that promote interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and national cohesion.
“If we want to advance and march towards prosperity, all of us must think and act together and come together as one people,” the Minister stated.
He said Nigeria’s population, strategic importance, and influence make its peace and stability consequential for Africa and the wider world.
“Nigeria is a very important country. It is a country of over 230 million people. Peace and tranquillity here mean peace and tranquillity everywhere in Africa and, indeed, the world,” he said.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the conference, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin conveyed the President’s commitment to sustainable security, national unity, and international cooperation, noting that Nigeria would continue working with international partners to promote peace and stability.
The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, urged Nigerians to protect their shared humanity and reject attempts to weaponise religion, ethnicity or poverty to divide the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, called for sustained dialogue, honesty and stronger implementation of solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, while urging Nigerians to rebuild trust and strengthen interreligious cooperation.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda urged Nigerians to see the country’s diversity as a source of strength rather than division, stressing that Nigerians may worship differently but share common aspirations and challenges.
The National Chairman of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, advocated stronger collaboration among government, religious organisations and communities to tackle insecurity, while calling for increased investment in education and skills development to reduce youth vulnerability to radicalisation and criminal recruitment.
In attendance were the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi; Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Scholars, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa; National Chairman of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullah Bala Lau; President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), alongside other senior government officials, religious and traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives and other distinguished guests.
END
