VICE President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Nigerians not to give room for any form of division along religious and tribal lines that may affect the country’s peace and tranquillity.
He said this in his remarks at the 66th Jalsa Salana of Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria held in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Saturday.
The theme of the annual conference is “Self-purification and submission to Allah as prerequisites for reformation of mankind.”
The VP accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojodu, commended the Ahmadiyya Movement for preaching and promoting peace among Nigerians.
Osinbajo said that some Nigerians take delight in promoting disunity through religion and ethnic issues.
He noted that the Movement had continued to wax stronger not only in the country but all over the world for its stance to ensure the peaceful co-existence among mankind.
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Osinbajo acknowledged that great leaders and persons are those who preach peace amongst all men.
He said: “I am very pleased that the Ahmadiyyah Movement has always been the one that preaches peace among all religions; peace among all men. That has been one of the major ways that the Ahmadiyyah Movement have become famous across our country and even all over the world.
“I want to add that peace is one of the most important things of all. When you look at the history of countries all over the world and when you look at the history of men all over the world, you will find that those who prevail you can regard as true leaders, persons that we must follow, are those men and women who preach peace amongst all men.
“Our country is one where many times people want to create division. They want to create division between Muslims and Christians; they want to create division between tribes. They want to create division between men. But God sees us as one. He does not see us as tribes. He sees us all as one people. I want to thank you in particular because you have continued to preach that message of unity and peace. Our country can be great and will be greater because of people like you.
The reason why our country can be great is because first of all, you have chosen to live among other people in unity and you have all chosen to teach other people to live in unity and love. I want to say to you that if we continue that way, surely the Lord God Almighty will bless us and bless our nation and our nation will move forward.”
The National President and Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, Dr Mash’hud Fashola, described as a paragon of piety and simplicity.
The VP later held a closed-door meeting with the Olu and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and also visited some few places.
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