At Independence Day Jumat Service, Sultan, minister highlight gains of diversity, preach genuine dialogue

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has advised Nigerians to tap into the gains that the creator has embedded in the diverse ethnic groups existing in the country.

The royal father, who gave this advise during the Special Jumat prayers to mark Nigeria’s 58th Independence Day celebration, said the lecture themed, ‘Harnessing our diversity for national development’ is special, because it is incorporated into the Jumat Service to bring together the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, as well as all stakeholders under one roof so that we could attain rapid development like China, Britain, Japan, and host of others.

Speaking on the gains of diversity, the Sultan said: “There is Allah’s blessing in our diversity, we are here as Nigerians first before we are Hausa, Fulani, Igbo and other tribes.”

According to him, some who claim to be leaders are dealers.

According to him, “they deal with all sorts of negative things that can ignite fire to burn down the country.

These dealers are people who cause problems for this country; and do not care about what happen to other persons.”

The Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello, who represented the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stated, “the diversity of Nigeria as a nation is ordained by God and Nigerians should manage it well to triumph as a country.”

Quoting from the Glorious Quran, he mentioned how the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) managed ethnic diversities during his sojourn in Medina.

The minister, therefore, called on the people and leaders in various capacities to embrace genuine dialogue for diversity because it is a form of strength.

He prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire nation, for peace and progress, as the country celebrates its 58th Independence Anniversary.

Professor Auwalu Yadudu of Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, in his lecture, appealed to Nigerians to appreciate that, agitations that has bearing on structure or geo-political issues has long being with us and as a nation, we operate a constitution that is not perfect.

The former special adviser to the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, also affirmed that: “Restructure means different things to different people: Sovereign National Conference; Resource allocation; and Rotation of Power.”

However, whatever school of thought one stands for among the three strands of restructure, you must engage in dialogue and agreement; and seek solution to the present problems in the country,” he explained.