Sallah: Wike Sues For Peace, United Nigeria

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged Muslims in the state to always exhibit religious tolerance and ensure peace, unity and prosperity of the nation.
Wike gave the charge while addressing a delegation of Muslim community in the state which paid him the traditional Sallah courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor reminded the Muslim Ummah to “see Nigeria as our heritage”, stressing that it is the responsibility of all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, cultural and political differences to ensure that the country remains a strong entity.
He enjoined religious leaders to proffer solution to some of the social problems facing the nation, particularly the issue of security which is impacting negatively on the nation’s economy.
Wike said that the renewed war on cultists and kidnappers in the state was a deliberate effort by government to root out criminal elements to create the enabling environment for investment as well as ensure that the people can sleep with their two eyes closed.
He disclosed that the state government was sponsoring over a 100 Muslim pilgrims for this year’s Hajj as a demonstration of its support for the spiritual revival of Muslim faithful in the state.
The governor, who enjoined them to use the occasion of the Sallah celebration to pray for the continued peace, unity and progress of the country and Rivers State in particular, urged Muslims in the state not to involve themselves in criminal activities as the on-going onslaught against criminal elements has no boundary.
He commended the Muslim Ummah for the prevailing peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in the state, and expressed the hope that the tempo would be sustained.
Earlier in his speech, the Rivers State Islamic Leader and Vice President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, commended the state chief executive for his developmental strides within one year as well as the state government’s resolve to fight the issue of cultism and kidnapping in the state.
He conveyed the appreciation of the President General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammaad Sa’ad Abubakar to the governor for his interest in the welfare of Muslims in the state.