Emulate S/West people on religious tolerance —Akeredolu

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has called on Nigerians to emulate the people of the South West region on religious tolerance.

Akeredolu made the call in Akure during an iftar dinner organised by the state government for Muslims in the state.

He said the call became imperative in view of the need to ensure peaceful coexistence among the adherents of the different faiths in the country.

The governor, who noted that the people of the South West never discriminate against any religion, said “the Muslims and Christians in this part of the country always celebrate together.”

Akeredolu stressed the need for Muslims and Christians to live in harmony, adding that the two religions pray to the same God and preach peace and love.

“We must learn to live in peace and we have no excuse to fight over religious differences. The peace of the land is important and development can only exist in a peaceful environment,” he said.

The Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Akeem Yayi Akorede, commended the governor for extending love to Muslims in the state.

According to him, despite having Christians as governor and deputy governor, “the Muslims had never benefitted so much from any government in the state like this.”

“I have never seen a governor like you before. There have been governors in this state but I have not seen a governor like you; you have done well for us.

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“Without writing any letter or seeing you, you have rebuilt the dilapidated Akure Muslim School. We never knew that your administration would perform this well.

“We are part of those who thought we would fold our arms and see what happens after four years. When we didn’t get a Muslim governor or Muslim deputy governor, we gave up. I must confess that you have really surpassed our expectations,” Akorede said.

In a related development, the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, has urged the rich in the society to lend helping hands to the underprivileged as part of measures to ensure peace and development in the country.

Oba Aladelusi, during the maiden edition of Ramadan iftar organised by his palace in Akure, urged every individual to always remember that every help is from Allah.

The traditional stressed the need for the haves to help the have-nots, saying putting smiles on the faces of the needy was in accordance with the commandment of Allah.