We are working for peace, says Sultan (It doesn’t look that way, sir)

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Latest Politics, National Politics, Sultan of Sokoto, Top Stories Friday, August 17th, 2012

What is the role of traditional rulers in the battle for peace in NIgeria?

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, says traditional rulers are joining forces with the government and other stakeholders to restore peace to the country.

Terrorism has crept into the country, with the Boko Haram sect setting off bombs in which many have been killed.

The Sultan says traditional rulers are working hard to stop the trend. He spoke on Wednesday in Sokoto when he hosted members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to a Ramadan dinner to break the fast, which ran into the early hours of yesterday.

“We have been working very hard to see to the return of normalcy to Nigeria. This is to bring the insecurity situation in Nigeria to an end.

“We are all concerned about violence in Nigeria, the peculiar situation in Northern Nigeria and other cases of kidnapping and violent destruction of lives and property,’’ he added .

The Muslims’ leader stressed the need for Nigerians to collectively work together to “defeat the various forms of insurgency.”

Alhaji Abubakar praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his recent peace moves in Plateau by holding series of meeting with members of the various ethnic groups in the state.

“Nigeria is not a one-man country. All the 160 million people in the country belong to the country, but we must tell ourselves the bitter truth.”

He stressed the need for the leaders of other religions in Nigeria to continue to be partners with their Muslim counterpart to ensure the sustenance of peace and unity in the nation.

“There must be mutual discussions and dialogue on the situation in Nigeria. It is an issue that I am very passionate about.

“At the highest level, they understand this. Mr President has high respect for Muslims and Islam,’’ he added.

Alhaji Abubakar pledged that the traditional rulers would continue to help those in government to develop the country, adding: “We are people-oriented leaders.”

“Our forefathers did this and we will continue to do it.”

He advised journalists to be patriotic and to be positive about the country.

The Sultan also charged them to be optimistic about a greater and more peaceful Nigeria, saying: “all these problems will disappear.”

Abubakar further stated that the dinner was a yearly routine during the Ramadan fast, adding: “ it is an informal breakfast in the holy month of Ramadan.’’

“It is an extension of brotherly love between one brother to his brothers and sisters in the holy month of Ramadan,’’ he added.

The Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Alhaji Labaran Dundaye, extolled the existing cordial relationship between the sultanate and the union.

“We will continue to maintain this relationship and respect to the sultan and his personality. We must commend the sultan for his various peace initiatives in Nigeria.

“I call on other leaders in the country to introduce similar peace initiatives for the development of our nation,’’ Dundaye added.

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