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FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello
The Christian leaders in Abuja have expressed their commitment to peace in a meeting with the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, aimed at promoting and sustaining peace in the Federal Capital Territory.
Also at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin, the representative of the FCT Commissioner of Police, ACP Nendel Gomwalk, the State Director of the DSS and relevant senior staff of the FCTA.
The Christian leaders in a statement after the meeting stressed that the FCT has always been a home to all Nigerians where residents can practice their faith without hindrance.
They stated that nothing should overturn the peace that is being enjoyed by worshippers in the nation’s capital.
However, this was one of the resolutions that was maintained at the stakeholders meeting that was held with the leaders of the Christian Community last Friday, which was chaired by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
The Christian Leaders in attendance included the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Samson Jonah, the State House Chaplain, Pastor Seyi Malomo, and heads of the various Christian denominations in the FCT.
The Christian leaders pledged to explore the power of the pulpit to promote peace and also encourage their congregants to maintain peaceful co-existence with followers of other faiths.
However, the Christian leaders also condemned the wanton destruction of property which occurred in the wake of the EndSars protests and also advised that the demonstrations should be put to a halt as the Federal Government had agreed to the five demands of the youths and requested that they eschew violence in any form.
They also appreciated the FCT Administration for the efforts taken to ensure that the demonstrations did not slide into ethno-religious crises and the religious leaders also commend the FCT Minister for the on-the-spot assessment tours and visits to the damaged and looted business premises in Apo and Dutse – Alhaji.
The religious leaders were also informed that the Presidential Panel of Inquiry on the disbanded SARS would receive complaints from the FCT, while calling on residents to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the panel.
Moreso, the religious leaders were also informed about the issue of community policing.
According to the minister, “2,500 special constabularies” have been recruited for which they expressed satisfaction and commended the FCTA and FCT Police command.
It was also stressed at the meeting that it was essential that efforts should made to understand the nation’s youthful population so as to engage with them.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing ASUU strike and demanded that ASUU and the federal government should come to an understanding so that students can go back to school.
The Christian leaders appealed for immediate and long term plans to check youth unemployment, while also expressing regret that the agricultural inputs stored by the FCTA Agric Secretariat intended for dry season farming were also looted and vandalized.
