Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Monday urged Muslims to promote the unity of the nation.
Peterside made the plea while receiving a delegation of the Muslim community in Port Harcourt.
“We must be willing to make sacrifice, to promote unity, love, togetherness and emphasise on the things that will unite us and not things that will divide us.
“This is the season of love and sacrifice; in this season, there is no politics, ethnicity and no enemy,’’ he said.
The NIMASA boss urged Muslims to remain peaceful in Rivers and contribute to ending the challenges in the state as bonafide residents and proud sons and daughters of the state.
“We are passing through a lot of challenges. There are security challenges in the state.
“As humans, we must be ready to make sacrifice. Our own part of the sacrifice is to bring to an end the insecurity we are all suffering from today.
“I know that God will intervene in Rivers and sustainable change will come, so you do not have be discouraged,’’ the director-general said.
Peterside described President Muhammadu Buhari as a stabilising factor in the country, saying that was the reason why all Nigerians prayed for him when he was ill.
Earlier, Alhaji Ali Kwande, the leader of the Muslim delegation, said that the Sallah celebration was like a new year to them.
“That is why we are here to celebrate with you and your family. We cannot leave you out because you have been good to us,’’ he said.
In the spirit of the celebration, the Muslim leader presented rams to their host while the director-general of NIMASA also gave them rams.