The Deputy Governor of Osun State,Mr Benedict Alabi, has urged religious leaders to persistently preach the virtue of tolerance among their followers to engender peaceful co-existence., AMILOADED reports.
Alabi, gave the admonition while playing host to Islamic leaders from Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency in Ikire, his country home, on Thursday.
The Deputy Governor noted that peaceful atmosphere practically determines speedy development of any nation irrespective of available resources.
The religious leaders, who were led by the Chief Imam of Ikire-land and Chairman, league of Imam and Alfas in the federal constituency, Sheilk Raji Ajibade Olounniose, alongside All Progressives Congress, APC’s stalwarts from the axis, joined the Deputy Governor to break fast on Thursday.
Speaking, Alabi explained that the purpose of breaking fast with them was to have a veritable platform to pray for sustainable peace and improved economy in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He, enjoined political leaders in the country to form a formidable front and unite against daunting national challenges, especially the pervasive insecurity and economic turbulence, as he identified religious bigotry as a bane of peace and growth.
“It is not contestable that this is a critical moment in the annals of our nation. So, what we need now as religious leaders and patriotic citizens is tireless prayers and unity of purpose, to overcome all these challenges.
“As a people, we must start to think less of our differences and focus more on those values that unite us. This is a necessary orientation we must start to imbibe and instill in our consciousness for better future,” the Deputy Governor said.
Alabi further enjoined Osun residents to be security conscious and form a robust synergy with security agencies by providing prompt information on any criminal tendencies in their various communities, adding that “Osun must continue to sustain her status as the most habitable state in the country”.
Speaking at the programme, the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, corroborated the Deputy Governor on the continuity of the prayer session.
Earlier, the Naibul Imam of Ikireland, Alhaji Mufiliu Oladiran, who delivered a lecture at the programme, said if the people could abide by the dictates of Allah, according to the holy book of Quran, Nigeria would be a decent arena to live.
He stressed that Islamic religion promotes peaceful relations irrespective of religious affiliations, urging the people to love one another and shun senseless killings and other violent crime.
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