The Provincial Secretariat of Church and Society (HJDP) in partnership with Global Peace Foundation of Nigeria (GPFN) supported by Caritas Nigeria has tasked the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, on peace building.
The NGOs expressed concern over disunity along ethnic and religious lines in Kaduna State during a one-day roundtable on ‘Religion and Politics’ in the State at the Kukah Centre.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting signed by the secretary of HJDP, Rev. Fr. Onuh Ladi Sixtus, stated that religion had been politicised and made a good number of people to support and vote with religious bias.
“The participants raised several concerns that border on claims of marginalisation on grounds of religious affiliations. We are appealing to the state government to ensure justice and fairness in running the affairs of the state.
“The participants resolved that the statement credited the former governor of Kaduna State in a viral video claiming the dominance of one religion over the other was his own personal perspective.
“The participants called on the state government to ensure that all citizens are given a sense of belonging. A particular reference was made to the situation in the state-owned university where Christians have no place of worship and are not represented in the leadership and management positions of the institution.
“Some of the recommendations include; those who are aggrieved should always seek legal redress, especially as it has to do with cases of abuse and hate speech instead of taking the law into their hands.
“Respected bodies and organisations should engage the former governor, Nasir El-rufai, in order to make him see reason as to the negative effects of the controversial comments created tohim.
“Government should create a level playing ground for all and ensure fairness and equity for citizens. Government should speak against allegations of dominance, and create a forum for clerics to interact on ways of maintaining peace among their adherents.
“Government should also ensure that Christians students in the state university be given a place of worship and be included in the governance structure of the institution.”
The participants included the special adviser to governor on peace and conflict resolution, Atiku Sankey; the PDP chairman in Kaduna State, Hon. Felix Hassan Hyet; CAN chairman Rev. John Joseph Hayab and many others.
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