Gov Kefas preaches peace, unity as Christians, Muslims begin annual fast

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

As both Catholics and Muslims begin their annual fast, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has called on adherents of both faiths to embrace peace and unity and respect freedom of religion during the period and beyond. 

A statement issued in Jalingo on Wednesday and signed by Hon  Emmanuel Bello, SA Media and Digital Communication to Governor Kefas urge the adherents to take the time and reflect on the principles of love, justice, peace and fairness and to imbibe same for the common good.

The statement reads in parts that “it is clearly God’s design that both Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Ramadan fast falls on the same day. This certainly is a divine emphasis on the call for unity and peace.

“As we begin this journey of spiritual purge and sacrifice, I urge you all to reflect deeply on the basis for the sacrifice we are making during this period. It is not enough to fast and pray if we don’t have positive attitudinal change. To that extent, our sacrifice will count as nothing.

” It is therefore imperative that we think deeply and chose the path of unity and peace that will ensure harmonious relationship amongst all the people irrespective of religion, political affiliation and and ethnicity.

I also urge you all to use this period to pray for our State, our dear Nation and especially, the forthcoming general elections. We all have a role to play in the growth of our country and we must be seeing doing that with patriotism and enthusiasm.

“It is clear that we are confronting several challenges. As a government, we are doing everything within our capacity to ameliorate the hardship the people are facing. We are relentless and we would not give up until life gets better. But we also need your support. We need your prayers and your cooperation to achieve desired results. Pray for us”.

The governor further assured that his administration will do all it can to make the fasting period as less detious as possible for both adherents.

Our Correspondent reports that this is the first time the Ash Wednesday and Ramadan fast are starting on the same day in over a decade.