FG Urges Nigerians to Unite Against Insecurity, Ethnic, Religious Divisions
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to put aside religious, ethnic and political differences and unite in confronting insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja 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.
Idris said the diversity of participants at the conference reflected a growing recognition that Nigeria’s security, stability and prosperity require collective action across religious, ethnic and political lines.
“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,” he said.
The Minister warned that allowing religious and ethnic divisions to influence the fight against insecurity could further complicate the country’s security challenges. He therefore urged citizens to reject violence, intolerance and attempts to exploit Nigeria’s diversity for destructive purposes.
“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,” Idris said.
He clarified that the conference was not organised by the Federal Government but welcomed initiatives that promote interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence and national unity.
According to him, Nigeria’s size, population and strategic importance mean that peace and stability in the country have implications far beyond its borders.
“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 stated.
Leaders Call for Unity and Dialogue
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the conference, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, conveyed the President’s commitment to sustainable security, national unity and international cooperation, assuring that Nigeria would continue to work with 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 efforts to weaponise religion, ethnicity or poverty as tools of division.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, called for sustained dialogue, honesty and stronger implementation of solutions to the country’s challenges, while urging Nigerians to rebuild trust and deepen interreligious cooperation.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Nigerians to regard the country’s diversity as a source of strength rather than division, noting that despite differences in religious beliefs, Nigerians share common aspirations and challenges.
The National Chairman of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, called for stronger collaboration among government, religious organisations and communities in addressing insecurity. He also advocated greater investment in education and skills development to reduce young people’s vulnerability to radicalisation and criminal recruitment.
The conference brought together senior government officials, governors, religious and traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to deliberate on practical approaches to strengthening social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and national stability.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who represented President Tinubu; Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani; Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi; Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa; and Sheikh Abdullah Bala Lau, among other distinguished guests.
The discussions underscored the need for Nigerians to strengthen trust, reject division and work collectively towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous nation.
FG Urges Nigerians to Unite Against Insecurity, Ethnic, Religious Divisions