Sultan, Ayokunle laud FG for ratifying arms prohibition treaty

•Seek compensation for victims of violence

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, have commended the Federal Government for taking steps to eliminate weapons of mass destruction in the country through its ratification of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

The co-chairs of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) also sought compensation for refugees and victims of violence as well as facilitating their return to their native land.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Executive Secretary of NIREC, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the development.

The religious leaders noted that as people all over the world are marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, “Nigeria, Ireland and Niue have chosen to remember the victims and honour the hibakusha, the survivors, in the most meaningful way possible by taking action to ban these weapons of mass destruction.”

Congratulating Nigerians and the Buhari administration for “this bold step at the International level”, the clerics urged government at all levels to domesticate the pact.

They said: “Given that charity begins at home, the leadership of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must set a day aside to remember all the victims that have been killed by terrorists, bandits and all forms of criminals in Nigeria.

“Government must provide adequate security for Nigerian citizens to enjoy peaceful coexistence irrespective of tribe, political affiliation and religion.”