Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has called on citizens of the state to ditch divisive narratives and embrace humanity first to foster peaceful coexistence.
Bago made the remarks at a meeting commemorating the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, organized by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPF) with stakeholders in Minna, Niger State, focused on promoting tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Mr. Maurice Magaji, explained that the principles of equity, justice, and fairness are essential for peaceful living, stressing that coexistence begins at home and within immediate communities.
He said the administration is adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to promote peaceful coexistence.
According to him, “The government believes in engaging religious leaders, opinion leaders, and community heads to strengthen dialogue. Humanity did not choose religion, skin colour, language, or place of birth, which reflects God’s intention for coexistence.”
Earlier, the Country Director of GPF and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, rallied faith leaders, traditional rulers, women, youths, and government institutions to champion compassion, justice, and accountability to foster peaceful coexistence in the country.
He noted that promoting tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity requires courage to challenge narratives of fear, suspicion, and exclusion that have weakened trust and fueled violence in many communities.
According to him, the forum was designed to provide a platform for honest dialogue on the root causes of insecurity in Niger State, with the aim of producing a communiqué that would guide action and influence policies for lasting peace and development.
“Peaceful coexistence does not mean the absence of differences, but the ability to manage them constructively without violence, discrimination, or hate. We are urging participants to become personal ambassadors of peace in their daily lives,” Rev. Hayab stated.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta Rakiya Musa, in her address, described peace as an integral part of life and a major source of happiness, noting that the present moment calls for deliberate efforts to sustain it.
The Chairman of CAN in Niger State, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, represented by the Vice Chairman, Rev. Joshua Markus, in his goodwill message, noted that peace is the foundation for development and emphasized that striving for peace ultimately benefits everyone.
Also, the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Yakubu Bosso, stressed the need for Nigerians to consistently preach and practice peace wherever they find themselves, irrespective of faith or status.
