PROTOCOL,
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
- All praises are due to Allah (SWT) for His mercies
and blessings upon us and the entire humanity. May His
peace and blessings be upon His Prophet and Messenger
Muhammad (S.A.W.), his Household and Companions. - On behalf of Al-Ansar Foundation family, I am glad
to be in your midst today, here in the Capital city of
Gombe, on this special, memorable and auspicious
occasion, with personal attendance of His Eminence, the
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa’ad Abubakar III, the
Grand Special Guest of this Submit, eminent traditional
and religious leaders and many other distinguished
personalities here present. - I am indeed honoured to be chosen as the chairman
of the 3rd National Summit on Peaceful Co-existence and
Nation Building courtesy of Da’wah Coordination
Council of Nigeria (DCCN). We, at Al-Ansar Foundation
are proud and delighted to be part of this year’s Summit.
Permit me therefore, to use this medium to appreciate the
leadership of Da’wah Coordination Council of Nigeria
and other stakeholders for setting the tone and pace for
this year’s summit. As you may be aware, the reason we
are gathered here today is so sensitive, important and
timely at this critical stage in our nation’s journey. Let me
also mention that the choice of the theme for this
conference is apt and relevant to the current challenges
facing this country. - I have no doubt that many of you have come from far
and wide to attend this year’s summit. I believe you won’t
be disappointed as we all come together to seek for the
best solutions in reducing challenges militating against
peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. I am convinced that the
issue of peaceful co-existence and nation building will be
tackled from various perspectives as would be presented
by different groups and personalities in this summit. I
therefore, enjoin us all to be open minded throughout this
summit to learn new ways and approach of tackling the
mistrust among different ethnic nationalities and religious
beliefs with the aim of intensifying actions towards peace,
unity and progress in our dear country. - Your Excellencies, distinguished personalities
present, let me use this moment to emphasize on the
Qur’an verse that ordained the basis for equality among
human beings: “Sura Al-hujraat Aya” 13 which says: “O
mankind! Surely We have created you from male and
female and have made you nations and tribes that you
may know one another. Surely the noblest of you in the
sight of Allah, is the one who is the most god-fearing.
Allah is surely All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said during
his last sermon that: “There is no superiority for an
Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an
Arab, nor for a white over a black, nor for a black over
a white – except the piety, people are from Adam, and
Adam is from dust.”
So also in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria (As amended) begins with the following
preliminary statements:
“We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Having firmly and solemnly resolved, to live in unity
and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble
sovereign nation under God, dedicated to the
promotion of inter-African solidarity, world peace,
international co-operation and understanding. And to
provide for a Constitution for the purpose of
promoting the good government and welfare of all
persons in our country, on the principles of freedom,
equality and justice, and for the purpose of
consolidating the unity of our people.” All these
statements laid enough credence to the fact that peace and
harmony are vital ingredients for coexistence,
development and prosperity of our dear nation. - In light of the foregoing quotations from the Holy
Qur’an, the Hadith and as well as the preamble to the 1999
Constitution, let me also echo the words of His
Excellencies, the President and Vice President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, at different fora with respect
to the peaceful coexistence and unity of Nigeria. The
former said and I quote: “Nigeria’s unity is settled and
not negotiable.” While the latter posited that: “Nigeria
better together than divided.” There is no doubt that
unprecedented violent occurrences throughout the length
and breadth of the country as well as agitations of various
hues are fanning embers of national disintegration but
rather than promoting division, Nigerians should continue
to promote unity and togetherness. - Your Excellencies, eminent personalities and
distinguished invited guests. Peaceful co-existence and
nation building is a collective responsibility of every
citizen. More so, as leaders, it is our responsibility to
bridge the gap and reduce the factors that triggered
mistrust, hatred and bigotry between different ethnic
nationalities and religious adherents. Furthermore, for
peace to thrive in our societies, issues that border on
human relations must be addressed both at the local, state
and federal government levels. And we must commend
DCCN for its efforts at ensuring that peace and harmony
thrives in Nigeria. What is happening in Nigeria today
leaves us in no doubt that there is an urgent need for
pursuance of lasting peace, security, confidence and
mutual understanding in our nation. The absence of peace
and security in any society impedes harmonious
relationships and rapid economic transformation
inevitable. - Your Excellencies, distinguished personalities
present, it is important to know once again that Nigeria is
multi-religious and multicultural in nature. This is not
something that is negotiable as we have found ourselves
living with each other as disdained by the Almighty God.
We strongly believe we can live peaceful as a people with
different backgrounds just like in many countries around
the world. The first step would be to promote Interfaith
Peace. Nigeria is such a diverse country with over 450
tribes and more than 200 million people, it is not shocking
therefore that there are so many religious beliefs and sects
among the people. However, the truth remains that peace
must be propagated especially when you consider that we
are indeed serving the Almighty God who wanted us to
live without strife and hate. We must break the narrative
that a certain sect of religion hates and wants to annihilate
the others. We must visit them with our love and brotherly
attitude at all times. Love always triumphs over hate and
this is always clear. We must begin to do, not merely
consider. - Last but not the least, we must embrace the idea of
our religious sects playing a role in promoting good
governance by checking and advising that morality be
enthroned in the system of governance. This is especially
important because Nigerians are very religious and place
their religious leaders very highly. Therefore, it shouldn’t
be a bad idea for these religious leaders to participate in
governance processes by giving the best and healthiest
advices and helping the government decide where
necessary, certain important issues. - I believe posterity will not forgive us if we fail in our
choices to harness the power of our diversity for the
benefit of all, rising to the occasion of sustainable peace
and development based on equity, justice, respect and
love for one another. - Your Excellencies, distinguished invited guests, it is
my fervent hope and prayer that ideas generated from this
summit would be transformed into a blueprint and policy
recommendations for governments at all levels, as they
work on a new trajectory to Nigeria’s rebirth. - On this note, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the
lead paper presenters on the “Role of Leadership in
Promoting Peaceful Coexistence in a Diverse
Country”;
(i) His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja; and
(ii) Hon. Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, the Honourable Minister of
Communication and Digital Economy.
There is no doubt that these two erudite
speaker/personalities would do justice to this topic we are
about discussing in this session of the summit. I therefore,
employ each and every one present here to be receptive
and open minded as we embark on this journey of finding
lasting solutions to the challenge of peaceful coexistence
in Nigeria. - Thank you and may Allah (SWT) bless this summit.
- Wa-Sallamu Alaykum.
