Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state says Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians as no region, ethnic or religious groups will claim supreme in the nation’s leadership positions.
This is contained in a statement signed by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, and issued to newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto.
The statement said the governor made the disclosure when he received the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ayokunle Olasupo, who paid him a courtesy visit in Sokoto.
Tambuwal described leadership of the country as mutually complimentary as Nigeria belonged to every citizen, and no one would send anyone out of the country hence the need to remain together for the betterment of the country.
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The Governor also affirmed that no one, group of people, no matter their religious affiliation or tribe could arrogate the leadership of Nigeria to themselves to the exclusion of other people of the country.
He maintained that the kind of leadership the country needed was one that would understand the issues of diversities and is inclusive in his approach to governance, without tribal or religious sentiments.
According to the governor, Islam and Christianity have been coexisting even before the union of the country came into existence.
Tambuwal also added “those who know history said Christianity and Islam belong to the same root,” stressing that “Jerusalem and Damascus were examples of places where the two religions are being practiced side by side.
“There is need for us to continue practicing the teaching of the two religions as ordained by God.
“If we go by the real teachings of the two religions, there wouldn’t be friction or any reason to fight one another,” Tambuwal said.
He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the CAN President for their efforts in preaching peace and unity in the country.
The governor stressed that such had indicated Sokoto state position as home to every Nigerian irrespective of religious, tribal or ethnic differences.
He said that in pursuance of this objective of unity, all children of residents in the state including non-indigenes, who attend public schools were exempted from paying fees.
Tambuwal also added that in line with this education policy, in the area of health too, the State government’s Zakkat and Waqaf Commission picked medical bills of indigent Nigerians resident in the state side by side for those of the less privileged state indigenes.
In his remarks, the CAN President, Rev. Olasupo said he was in the state to interact with the Sultanate, the government and people of Sokoto state so as to find ways to overcome the security challenges faced in the country.
Olasupo condoled the people of the state over the loss of lives occasioned by the unfortunate incident of bandits’ attacks in some communities of the state.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for its giant stride in providing security in the state and appealed to citizens to live in peace with one another. (NAN)