Religious, Ethnic Divisions Will Worsen Insecurity, Information Minister Warns

Religious, Ethnic Divisions Will Worsen Insecurity, Information Minister Warns
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned Nigerians against allowing religious, ethnic and political differences to deepen insecurity, saying the country needs unity now more than ever.
Idris gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja on the sidelines of the International Conference on “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future,” organised by the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in partnership with the Muslim World League.
The minister said Nigeria’s security and stability could not be achieved if citizens continued to allow differences in religion, ethnicity and politics to divide them.
According to him, Nigerians must rise above their differences and work together to confront the security challenges facing the country.
“There is no time for differences. If, in our fight against insecurity, we allow religious differences, it will only exacerbate the problem. The need for us to come together as one people is important,” Idris said.
He urged Nigerians to reject violence and intolerance, stressing that the country’s diversity should not be exploited to create further divisions.
“All of us need to come together, think as Nigerians, think as human beings, and work together, irrespective of our differences, so that we can act as one,” the minister said.
Idris also said Nigeria’s peace and stability were important not only to its citizens but to Africa and the wider world, given the country’s population and strategic importance.
“Nigeria is a very important country. It is a country of over 230 million people. Peace and tranquillity here mean peace and tranquillity everywhere in Africa and, indeed, the world,” he said.
The minister clarified that the conference was not organised by the Federal Government but said the government welcomed initiatives promoting interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the conference, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, reaffirmed the President’s commitment to sustainable security, national unity and international cooperation.
The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, also urged Nigerians to protect their shared humanity and reject attempts to use religion, ethnicity or poverty to divide the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, called for sustained dialogue, honesty and stronger implementation of solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, while APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Nigerians to regard the country’s diversity as a source of strength.
Also present were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha and other government officials, religious and traditional leaders, diplomats and civil society representatives.