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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has cautioned religious leaders in his area of operation against making statements capable inflaming embers of hatred that are capable of threatening the peace and stability of the nation.
Abubakar spoke at a symposium organised for religious leaders on the Plateau by the OPSH at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, the commander said the aim of the symposium was to outline the importance of religious leaders as key contributors to peace in the society.
He lamented the damages inciting sermons from religious leaders have caused to include fueling tension and anger amongst religious groups.
Gen Abubakar informed the gathering that the symposium was a platform for constructive discussions on how to leverage on sermons to bring permanent peace to Plateau State. The commander urged the participants to reflect on their sermons and continually preach peace over violence. He further disclosed that the participants were drawn from different religious groups that have shown commitment to a peaceful society.
Delivering a paper on the topic “The Effects Of Inciting Preaching On Peaceful Coexistence On The Plateau” the guest speakers Sheikh Ghazali Ismail, Deputy Chief Imam Jos Central Mosque and Reverend Father Boniface Nkum, Director of Studies Saint Augustine Missionary School Jos, said religious leaders have strong potential to influence their followers. They disclosed that religious stigmatization has caused serious problems in society over the years. In the paper, the guest speakers agreed that government must provide an active platform where religious leaders who makes inciting statements could be reported and sanctioned accordingly.
The guest speakers maintained that interfaith dialogue and education must be encouraged in order to promote harmonious relationship between different religious groups. While calling on the religious advisory committee of the State to wake up to its duties, they added that religious leaders must take responsibility for the messages they convey to their followers.
In their separate remarks, the Emir of Wase and Chairman Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI) Plateau State, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sambo Haruna and the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State, Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo, said that government and security agencies must not spare religious leaders encouraging violence by making inciting statements, while maintaining that no one was above the law in the country. They advised that similar symposium should be organised at the local levels to educate people on the need for religious tolerance.
On his part, the Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor, Brigadier General GG Shipi (Rtd), disclosed that there must be public condemnation of preachers of inciting statements especially by followers of same faith. He revealed that the Inter-religious Advisory Council in the State was active to address issues relating to religion and practices.
In a related development, the commander has made a generous donation to the Bassa community Skills Acquisition and Event Center in Jebbu Bassa, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Commander highlighted the importance of empowering the youth as a means to reduce criminality and social vices, such as drug addiction, cultism.
The GOC said that by investing in the development of skills, they will have enhanced prospects for a better future and will be less susceptible to engaging in criminal activities or falling prey to drug addiction.
