#State of Origin: End policy to welcome development, security, interfaith group implores FG

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By our Correspondent

Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace(IDFP), says the continued quest for State of Origin and religious misappropriation are responsible for the recurrent crises in the country.

IDFP which comprises a team of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs(NSCIA) blamed the obvious backwardness in the country on the rise in insecurity.

The group made the observation on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State’s capital, yesterday, during a Step-Down training on Early Warning, Early Response, Mediation and Interreligious Dialogue for religious leaders in five states.

The programme as organized by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace in collaboration with International Dialogue Centre, had Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Abia and Rivers State represented.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Religious Affairs, Mr. Vincent Ogbonna assured that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would continue to maintain and preach peace and provide security to all the residents of the state.

Furthermore, Abia State Government encouraged the newly inaugurated Interfaith Dialogue Team in the state to take collective, practical action needed to promote peaceful coexistence, respect, love and harmony in the country.

Speaking also, Ameer Muhammad Jamil Mulid, CO-CHAIR, central Coordination Council, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, IDFP observed that the established interfaith body in the state is working harmoniously with each other and encouraged them to sustain the feat.

Jamil Mulid called on the Christians and Muslims among others to work together to build a just, peaceful society, as well as a consistent check on and prevention of fanaticism.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Onuoha who expressed concern over some unhealthy occurrences in the country, advised that Nigerians should shun people of selfish interest to take advantage of the vulnerable group, as they are bent on bringing crisis to the land.

Respectively, the IDFP Project Officer, Hadjia Lantana Ball Abdullahi, CAN Chairman Abia State, Apostle Emmanuel Agomoh and the chief Imam of Abia State, Sheik Ali Ukiwo described the meeting as apt in the sense that, ‘We serve one God.

Particularly, the state Chief Imam assured that newly inaugurated body will always interface with all; and expressed optimism that with the exposure gained through the meeting, religious crisis will cease to exist.