Religious tolerance critical to peaceful coexistence – President Jonathan

Abuja (Office of the Vice President Report) – Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that religious tolerance is critical to peaceful coexistence, urging Nigerians to unite against terror as it does not represent any religious ideology.
 
The President stated this at the 4th Unity Conference held in Abuja by the Community and Youth Development (CYD) Programme in collaboration with the Youth for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative (YPGLI) recently with the theme: “Religious Approach to Curbing Youth Restiveness, Immorality and Corruption in Nigeria.”
 
The President represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo called on all Muslims and Christians to continue to live together in peace and harmony as enshrined in the holy books; stressing that religious understanding and tolerance must continue to dominate Nigerians’ collective and corporate existence if they aspire to grow and prosper as a people.
 
President Jonathan reiterated the commitment of government to providing the enabling environment for every Nigerian to thrive, irrespective of religious and political affiliations, emphasising that this shall remain sacrosanct. He added that in this enterprise, there is need for partnership and support from all Nigerians.
 
He further indicated that Nigerians must unite against terror which is the country’s common enemy. “These insurgents must be condemned by all as they represent no religious ideology. They are out to cause disaffection and disharmony among religious adherents. None of these two religions preach violence. We must therefore continue to work collectively to defeat all divisive tendencies that attempt to undermine our sovereignty and collective resolve as a nation,” he stated.
 
Speaking on the Nigerian youth, the President disclosed that to gainfully engage them, government is implementing policies and programmes targeted at their development as they constitute the greatest asset of the country. He observed that this owes to the position of youth development as a key policy of Government, adding that the country has through its varied youth programmes achieved successes.
 
He listed the programmes to include: the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin), the Public Works Women and Youth Empowerment Programme and the Technical Vocational Education and Training Programme for Youths through the SURE-P fund. Others he mentioned were the Youth in Agriculture Programme, the Student Computer Ownership Scheme; the Girls and Women in Nigeria Initiative as well as the Junior Professional Officers Programme, among others.
 
While acknowledging the contributions of the Nigerian youth to the promotion of peace and unity in the country, he expressed appreciation to all the youths for their continuous support and resilience in the face of numerous development challenges. He also remarked that Nigerians would collectively achieve the goal of placing the Nigerian youth on a sound pedestal for favourable global competition.
 
In their separate keynote address, the Sultan of Sokoto represented by Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar and the former Secretary-General of CAN, Samuel Salifu stressed the need for Nigerians to respect and understand each other’s religion, urging the youth to imbibe self discipline, parents to guide their children right and government to make religion a core subject.
 
In his speech at the occasion, the patron of CYDNN, Mahmoud Yayale Ahmad on behalf of the Grand Patron of YPGLI, Paul Wampana (Senator) said that the present administration has shown demonstrable commitment to religious harmony and peaceful co-existence in the country, stressing that Nigeria is indeed one indivisible country.
 
Earlier in his talk, the Chairman of CYDNN said that the four days unity conference was aimed at fashioning out ways to curb youth restiveness in the society. Adding, the conference was also aimed at bringing participants of different faiths to rub mind on how to live harmoniously. The highlight of the event was the presentation of award to President Goodluck Eblele Jonathan.