By Daniel Dauda, Jos



The Chairman of Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) and Sultan of Sokoto His Royal Majesty, Sa'id Abubakar has called on religious leaders of both Christian and Islam faith to rise to the occasion of salvaging the real tenets of religious beliefs from doom prophets and politicians.

Abubakar said part of the reason why Nigeria found itself in the present precarious situation is as a result of false teachings by some devilish elements who bent on threatening the harmonious coexistence of Nigeria as a nation.

He acknowledged that it is the sole responsibility of each true preacher to always preach the undiluted message of peace and harmonious coexistence to people.

The President Islamic supreme Council op of Nigeria, Sa'id Abubakar gave the words of caution in Jos, the state capital during the NIREC meeting on Monday.

He said the whole country is in Plateau to chart the new course that would foster genuine peace, noting that He is disheartened by recent unprovoked attacks and killings of innocent lives and destruction of properties in the state.

According to him:" the whole country is in Plateau to talk to ourselves on how we can find lasting peace.

" Over the years people are doing things with impunity. Don't live our religious beliefs in the hands of doom prophets, politicians or people who based on inciting unwarranted comments to divide us.

"Those individuals who are capitalizing on inciting comments sowing the seeds of disharmony, acrimony and animosities among Nigerians should remember one day each and everyone would face the judgment of God.

"Human lives are sacrosanct and no religion whether Islam or Christian teaches violence. More so, everybody should be allowed to practice his/he religious beliefs devoid of any form of intimidation and harassment.

"Right from the time immemorial, we have our culture and traditions as people and as a nation.

"Only a Nigerian can help Nigerian to stabilize the country. We have to be patient with one another and the killings in the name of religion", Sultan of Sokoto mentioned.

The Royal father also conveyed the condolence of NIREC to the families of those who lost their loved ones as a result of skirmishes in some parts of Plateau.

Present at the Nigeria Inter-religious Council meeting are Governors of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, Aminu Tambawal Sokoto, Abubakar Sani Niger and Simon Lalong of Plateau as well as religious leaders, traditional Rulers and stakeholders both within and outside Plateau.