Killings: Both Muslims, Christians in Borno grieve together – Gov Zulum

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Governor, Babagana Zulum, said that both Muslims and Christians are grieving losses together, demanding a united response to Boko Haram crisis and other security challenges bedeviling Borno state.

Zulum disclosed this on Monday at a meeting with religious leaders and faith based organizations in Maiduguri.

He urged the clerics to dispel all false narratives that seek to portray the security crisis in a religious dimension.

Zulum noted that the state has unique and beautiful family composition dynamics, where one can find under one roof, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, who practices different faiths.

“We share meals, we celebrate festivities and milestones, we grieve losses together, as one family, bound by blood and love that transcends religious labels.

“This is our reality. This is our strength. We must protect this sacred bond within our homes and allow it to define our individual, as well as intra- and cross-community engagements” he said.

Zulum noted that the Boko Haram conflict is an assault on civilisation, humanity, and all that Borno State citizens hold dear, irrespective of creed.

“The perpetrators of violence have killed, maimed, and displaced Muslims and Christians alike. They have destroyed mosques and churches with equal impunity.

“The statistics of victimhood are stark and heart-breaking. While every single life lost is regrettable, the data clearly shows that the overwhelming majority of those who have suffered death, abduction, and displacements are our Muslim brothers and sisters.

“The number of Muslim victims is, tragically, more than that of our Christian compatriots. This tragedy binds us in a common grief and demands a united response,” he said.

He said states’ massive reconstruction programme across the affected local government areas was a policy not based on religion and ethnicity, but based on need and commitment to restore the social fabric of every community.

“We have reconstructed 45 Christian worship centres that were destroyed during the Boko Haram insurgency: 16 from Hawul, 11 from Gwoza, 10 from Askira-Uba and 8 from Chibok.

“We did not do all these as a favour; we did it as a duty. Just as we have rebuilt countless mosques, markets, schools, and homes, these churches stand as physical testaments to our policy of non-discrimination.

“They are symbols of hope and of our collective determination to rebuild not just structures, but trust,” he said.

He also assured that his administration is committed to the welfare, security, and protection of every single citizen.

“Your safety is of great concern to our administration. Your right to worship, according to your faith, without fear or hindrance, is sacrosanct” he added.

He called on the revered faith leaders to preach the message of peace, tolerance, and shared values of love, compassion, and justice in mosques and churches across the state.

“I urge all of us to actively speak against any voice, within or without, that seeks to divide us along religious lines. Let us encourage dialogue among our congregations and build bridges at every opportunity.

“The path ahead is one of rebuilding, not just of bricks and mortar, but of bonds and brotherhood. Let us walk this path together, hand in hand, faith in faith” he said.

He also appealed to the international community to partner with the state in addressing the underlying causes of the insurgency which is not limited to endemic poverty, illiteracy, hunger among others.

“Your support will also be appreciated in areas of enhancing the capability of our military in the fight against insurgency.

“May the Almighty God, who knows us all, grant us the wisdom, the courage, and the love to build a Borno where peace reigns, where justice prevails, and where every citizen is valued equally” he added.

The governor also asked the leaders of the religious groups, especially the State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno state chapter, Catholic Arch Bishop John Bakeni to liaise with the Chairman Committee on Reconstruction of destroyed churches, Justice Justus Zare with a view to present all other remaining destroyed Churches for immediate reconstruction by the State Government.

Nobody can solve our problem from outside – Borno CAN Chairman

In his response, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno State chapter, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, has called on religious leaders in the state to spread the message of love and unity to their followers.

He also urged Government leaders and other political office holders to always do justice to humanity and the society devoid of any religious, ethnic or political affiliations, as according to him, doing so, would always cultivate trust and peaceful coexistence.

“Nigeria is on the global map now, and there are a lot of information that are going out. I would enjoin us, ad the religious leaders to talk to our people.

“Nobody can solve our problem from outside, we are the ones that can solve our problem, America, UK, nobody. If we take what the governor said and implement it justifiably, we are going to have a peaceful society, “ he added.

Also in his submission, the State Chairman of Jammatul Islam, represented by the Secretary, Sheikh Jafaru Sadu Ngamdu drew the attention of the gathering on the longstanding peaceful coexistence that exists between Muslims and Christians in the state, which he said, all hands must be on deck to counter the negative narratives that Christians are maltreated while practicing their religion in the state.

He urged all and sundry to continue working together as brothers’ keepers and pray for restoration of peace in the state and the country in general.

The meeting was attended by two former state CAN Chairmen, Bishop Mohammed Naga and Rev. Titus Pona, as well as prominent Islamic and Christian scholars.

The post Killings: Both Muslims, Christians in Borno grieve together – Gov Zulum appeared first on Vanguard News.