President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, urged Nigeria’s non secular leaders to chorus from cursing and denigrating the nation of their sermons.
He additionally referred to as for constructive criticism of officers occupying elective positions.
“’Sure, this chief is unhealthy, nice. Wait till the following election to vary him, however don’t condemn your nation. Don’t curse Nigeria. This can be a lovely land,” stated Tinubu throughout Ramadan Iftar with conventional rulers and non secular leaders on the State Home on Thursday evening in Abuja.
The President’s Particular Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in an announcement titled, ‘President Tinubu appeals to spiritual leaders: don’t denigrate Nigeria in your sermons; pray for the nation as a substitute.’
Emphasising the necessary function of spiritual leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a way of unity amongst residents, Tinubu urged the leaders to forge a powerful bond with the federal government to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and different types of criminality within the nation.
He declared that his administration is decided to show Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity, reiterating that no terrorist can defeat the collective will of Nigerians, irrespective of how onerous they attempt to prey on harmless residents.
“Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 troopers killed in motion at Okuama, Delta State. I noticed their pregnant wives and little youngsters.
“The love of the nation is in your fingers. Pray for our nation. Educate our kids. The sermons we preach to the members of our church buildings and mosques are necessary.
“Don’t condemn your individual nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘irrespective of how slippery the underside of your little one is, you should depart the beads there.’ Go away the beads there. That is your nation; don’t condemn it in sermons, don’t abuse the nation. Management is supposed for adjustments,” the President emphasised.
The President, who acknowledged the birthday needs and goodwill prolonged to him on the event, reminded the leaders that his birthday on March 29, 2024, coincided with Good Friday.
“I’ve earned the honour of getting my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your properties safely.
“Might God information and hold you and your households in good well being, and raise your spirits,” he prayed.
In the meantime, Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasised the pivotal roles of spiritual and conventional rulers in selling peace and unity, urging them to proceed to ‘‘construct bridges that transcend ethnic and non secular divides.’’
Shettima expressed delight that the nation’s financial system is on a rebound, noting the strengthening of the naira towards the greenback.
“The President means nicely for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the that means and idea of recent management.
“For a few years, gas subsidy was an albatross. The President took a daring choice from day one, and he hit the bottom working. Now the financial system is popping the nook,” he stated.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who spoke on behalf of the Conventional Rulers Council of Nigeria, assured the President of the staunch assist of conventional rulers, and recommended the federal government’s efforts to handle the hike in meals costs and the safety challenges.
The monarch declared, “You aren’t alone, Mr. President. The costs of meals objects and items are step by step coming down. You’re doing all of your finest on safety, and we can not mean you can do it alone. We’ll be part of fingers to assist your imaginative and prescient to the betterment of our nation.”
The Basic Secretary of the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria, Samson Fatokun, famous that the Ramadan dinner with non secular and conventional leaders, coincided with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday earlier than Easter, noticed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s establishment of the Eucharist in the course of the Final Supper.
Fatokun, who delivered the handle of CAN President, Dr. Daniel Okoh, recommended President Tinubu for fostering a harmonious relationship between the State and the Church.
”We’re inspired that your administration has proven nice dedication in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
”We will proceed to point out our assist to your administration to be able to execute your noble intention for the nation,” he stated.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, spoke on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, highlighting the importance of Ramadan as a interval of reflection, empathy, and unity.
On the safety scenario within the nation, the Emir, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and President Basic, NSCIA, expressed optimism that the nation will return to peace and stability.
”I’m blissful to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities on this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do extra to take the nation to the Promised Land,” he prayed.
