DISTURBED by the security situation in the North, the Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has told perpetrators of
terrorism and related acts in the region that “enough is enough,” saying
the shedding of blood must stop.
The sultan, who is also President-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), spoke at the opening ceremony of the JNI Central Council meeting attended by all emirs and chiefs from the region in Kaduna, on Thursday. According to the traditional ruler, “we must come back to our senses and say firmly and resolutely that enough is enough.”
He chided the nation’s political leaders for their alleged insensitivity to the plight of the masses, adding that the level of insecurity in the northern states was slowly but surely tearing apart every fabric of the religious, social and economic life of the people. He said that all hands should be on deck in the search for peace and security in the society.
“The bloodshed must stop. Each and every one of us must come to appreciate that we cannot continue on this destructive path.
“We must open active, meaningful and sincere channels of dialogue and communication to ensure that we listen to those who have real grievances and to take genuine efforts to address them.
“But we must, as the ummah, also take a resolute stand against those who take advantage of this unfortunate situation to wreak havoc on society, in pursuit of their narrow interest.
“Allah will definitely put to shame those who seek to violate the honour and sanctity of Muslims. We must at all times seek Allah’s intervention through prayers for there is no calamity or distress that He cannot dispel.”
The sultan expressed worry over the level of poverty in the society, saying the federal, state and local governments must embark on meaningful development programmes that would make life easier and more pleasant for the majority of the people.
“The current level of poverty, especially in the northern states, cannot be acceptable in any decent society. We can hide behind our rhetoric but we cannot run away from the stark realities which characterise the daily lives of our people.
“Traditional and religious leaders must bear a special responsibility in counselling those in positions of authority at the federal, state and local government levels that governance must necessarily be equated with service to the people and that the socio-economic development of the society.
“The prosperity of the state must translate into the prosperity of the entire populace. It shall not be the exclusive preserve of the few who happen to have access to state resources.
“When we vie with one another in a democratic society, for positions of leadership, it is equally incumbent upon us to vie with each other to make leadership more meaningful to the generality of the people.”
Declaring the meeting open, Kaduna State governor, Mr Patrick Yakowa, also described the current insecurity situation in the country as a challenge “that calls for the contribution of all Nigerians who desire that the nation continues as we inherited it from those who led our independence struggle.
“The JNI, being a noble organisation, founded on truth and piety to educate Muslims, should maintain its original mandate and form with a renewed vigour and go ahead to establish much more cordial relationship with other faith-based organisations.
“This will really go a long way in the establishment of a better cordial and respectful relationship between the Nigerian Muslims and their Christian compatriots as witnessed during the time of the late Sardauna.”
The sultan, who is also President-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), spoke at the opening ceremony of the JNI Central Council meeting attended by all emirs and chiefs from the region in Kaduna, on Thursday. According to the traditional ruler, “we must come back to our senses and say firmly and resolutely that enough is enough.”
He chided the nation’s political leaders for their alleged insensitivity to the plight of the masses, adding that the level of insecurity in the northern states was slowly but surely tearing apart every fabric of the religious, social and economic life of the people. He said that all hands should be on deck in the search for peace and security in the society.
“The bloodshed must stop. Each and every one of us must come to appreciate that we cannot continue on this destructive path.
“We must open active, meaningful and sincere channels of dialogue and communication to ensure that we listen to those who have real grievances and to take genuine efforts to address them.
“But we must, as the ummah, also take a resolute stand against those who take advantage of this unfortunate situation to wreak havoc on society, in pursuit of their narrow interest.
“Allah will definitely put to shame those who seek to violate the honour and sanctity of Muslims. We must at all times seek Allah’s intervention through prayers for there is no calamity or distress that He cannot dispel.”
The sultan expressed worry over the level of poverty in the society, saying the federal, state and local governments must embark on meaningful development programmes that would make life easier and more pleasant for the majority of the people.
“The current level of poverty, especially in the northern states, cannot be acceptable in any decent society. We can hide behind our rhetoric but we cannot run away from the stark realities which characterise the daily lives of our people.
“Traditional and religious leaders must bear a special responsibility in counselling those in positions of authority at the federal, state and local government levels that governance must necessarily be equated with service to the people and that the socio-economic development of the society.
“The prosperity of the state must translate into the prosperity of the entire populace. It shall not be the exclusive preserve of the few who happen to have access to state resources.
“When we vie with one another in a democratic society, for positions of leadership, it is equally incumbent upon us to vie with each other to make leadership more meaningful to the generality of the people.”
Declaring the meeting open, Kaduna State governor, Mr Patrick Yakowa, also described the current insecurity situation in the country as a challenge “that calls for the contribution of all Nigerians who desire that the nation continues as we inherited it from those who led our independence struggle.
“The JNI, being a noble organisation, founded on truth and piety to educate Muslims, should maintain its original mandate and form with a renewed vigour and go ahead to establish much more cordial relationship with other faith-based organisations.
“This will really go a long way in the establishment of a better cordial and respectful relationship between the Nigerian Muslims and their Christian compatriots as witnessed during the time of the late Sardauna.”
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