FG to address ‘religious imbalance’ in confab – Sambo

Following the complaints of religious imbalance in the composition of the ongoing national conference by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA), Vice President Namadi Sambo, has assured Muslims that the federal government had taken steps to address the imbalance.
Addressing the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) golden jubilee lecture yesterday in Kaduna, the vice-president said federal government would ensure fairness and justice to all Nigerians irrespective of religion and ethnicity.

He added that government had taken measures to address the constant crises between farmers and pastoralists in an effort to resolve the insecurity in the country and ensure return of normalcy.
He said: “Government would see to the end of the barbaric acts of insurgency in the country. We are making efforts to ensure harmony between farmers and pastoralists; we have strategised on how to stop the constant crises between farmers and pastoralists. We are making efforts to address the issue of grazing range and grazing reserves.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in his remarks, tasked JNI and Muslims in the country on unity and peace, adding that without unity and peace the country could not develop.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of JNI, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who chaired the occasion, said the golden jubilee marked improved unity amongst the Muslim organisations in the country.

He tasked the federal government on the insecurity ravaging the country, which he lamented, was spreading fast, while he urged non-Muslims to empathise with Muslims and join Muslims in ensuring the return of peace to the country.

“We have discussed with government on the national conference and how to make it a success. We don’t want another jamboree, we have been giving advice to our leaders it is left for them to take the advice or jettison them.

“Why are we fighting each other in the name of ethnicity, religion, we should all go about our religion peacefully. Our non Muslim brothers should join us to look at problems bedevilling the country and find solutions.”

The guest speaker, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, said no Islamic organisation had been able to give Muslims in Nigeria adequate leadership and protection, and, therefore, suggested that JNI should merge with NSCIA and Muslims Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN) to form a single body that would be the rallying point of all Nigerian Muslims.