Govs seek support to build better Nigeria

FROM the governors on Thursday
came pleadings that Nigerians should
encourage government at all levels to build a
more prosperous Nigeria by being peaceful,
loving, tolerant and supportive of the policies
and programmes aimed at making life more
meaningful to the people.
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos
State called on Nigerians to build on its unique
diversity, as it remains a key ingredient for
nation building.
Fashola, who spoke to newsmen shortly after
observing yesterday’s Eid-el-Fitri prayers at
Dordan Barracks Prayer ground located in
Obalende area of Lagos, urged Nigerians to
allow the love that flowed in the country
during the Ramadan period to continue.
“My message would be that the love, the
concern, the brotherhood, the peaceful co-
existence, the respect and tolerance we have
for our diversity, the way we have used our
diversity to create strength, to prosper our
lives, are the ingredients that we need for
continued nation building and I urge all
Nigerians irrespective of faith, irrespective of
ethnic origins to continue to live peacefully
together in Lagos and everywhere.”
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State
charged Muslims to “work hard” for the
sustenance of emerging peace in the state.
Peace, according to him, can only be attained
when residents, irrespective of their religious,
ethnic and political differences contribute
immensely in sustaining the emerging peace,
despite the four-year Boko Haram insurgency
that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam urged
Muslim faithful to make sacrifices in the
interest of nation building, particularly as the
country is facing enormous security challenges
being perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect. He
urged the Muslims to see themselves as vehicle
of God’s will and good intentions which He
created to profess peaceful co-existence, love
and harmony with other members of different
faiths and to contribute to the material welfare
of their fellow mankind regardless of religious
persuasion or social status.
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said, “I
would like to appeal to all Muslims to imbibe
the spirit of forgiveness, love and respect for
one another. To this end, I urge you to
exchange gifts and visits during this Eid-el fitri
celebration’’.
Others who admonished Nigerians, especially
Muslims, to be peaceful, tolerant and to work
for national development are Governors
Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and Rabiu
Kwankwaso of Kano State.