From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Nigeria as the only country where Muslims and Christians coexist peacefully despite religious differences.
Speaking at the commissioning of DARUL ILM (Centre for Islamic Studies) in Dan Bushiya, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, he urged Nigerians to maintain this harmony and avoid using religion to foster hatred.
“I don’t think we have any country in the world where Muslims and Christians interact peacefully like in Nigeria,” the Sultan said. “Let’s not take religion to the level that it will bring hatred to us as Nigerians. We must eschew religious bigotry because on the last day everybody will stand before God and give accounts of stewardship on the earth.”
The centre, built and donated by Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), a Christian, was praised by the Sultan for promoting unity. He highlighted the importance of education, noting, “We are all here for one purpose, we are here because education is the most important thing you can give any child in his life, no matter where that programme is taking place.”
The school, named after President Bola Tinubu following a motion moved by Mohammed Ali and seconded by Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, focuses on educating orphaned and indigent children. The Sultan commended Ajayi’s personal funding of the project, stating, “This school is a special school for orphans and indigent children. We are the parents of such children, and only God would reward us if we help them receive education.”
Ajayi, represented by retired DSS Director Alhaji Ahmed Zalmar, explained that the initiative aims to build trust between the government and citizens through interfaith dialogue and constructive engagement. “I have initiated measures aimed at building trust between the government and the general public to bolster internal security through constructive citizens engagement, interfaith dialogue and policy discourse,” he said.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe, described the school as a symbol of hope and commitment to education. He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on reducing out-of-school children, stating, “Sani said his administration prioritised education, therefore, allocating a significant portion of the budget to reduce out-of-school syndrome, construct classrooms, and recruit qualified teachers.”