ASABA – The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, on Friday called on the people to stand together and fight the insurgency in the country.
The minster made the call at National Peace Conference and Unity Rally organised by the Integrity for Leaders Initiative in Asaba.
Maku urged everyone, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity or religion, to support government in fighting terrorism.
He said terrorists had nothing to do with religion, adding that they were being led by a different spirit that taking life no longer meant anything to them.
“These terrorists are not Moslems, all religions preache peace and we must ensure that we promote peace and security development in our country.
“To imagine that Nigeria will be confronted by this situation in 2014 is a challenge to make all Nigerians to rise and fight the insurgents.
“So, I urge all Christians and Moslems to stand together as one to defeat the terrorism in the country”, Maku said.
The minister charged those politicians who manipulated religious organisations for the selfish interest to desist forthwith.
He called on parents and guardians to instill the right values in their children and wards, urging the youths to resist desperate politicians who may want to use them to cause violence.
According to him, leadership was central to peace and peace must begin in the family.
He lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership quality that had transformed the nation’s economy to number one position in Africa in spite of the security challenge.
Earlier, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah, called on politicians to separate politics from security.
He noted that peace was sacrosanct to development in any nation, adding that politicians should not jeopardise the peace of future generation by their actions.
Uduaghan said if something urgently was not done to contain the situation, “anarchy is iminent.’’
National Coordinator of the group, Rev. Chukwudi Eke, urged Nigerians to think more about what they could do for the Nigeria and not what Nigeria would do for them.
“We are here most importantly, to show our solidarity and love for Nigeria, where peace and unity reign supreme.
“Through this peace conference and unity rally, we are showing selfless love for our dear nation by being facilitators for the continued peace and unity of our dear Nigeria”, Eke said.
Former Deputy President of Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, said the rally was what the country needed at the moment.
He reminded Nigerians that all humans came from one source, which is God, adding that if the two dominant religions in the country worked in obedience to the commandment of God, love would reign.
“The things we cannot change should not be allowed to divide us. All religions preach love and those who love God, love peace.
“We must join hands to fight all those things that dehumanise us and ensure that peace reign in Nigeria”, Mantu said.
Jonathan was given an award as the Most Tolerant and Peace Loving President, while Uduaghan got the Peace Ambassador Award for 2013.
Others were Dame Patience Jonathan, Chief Edwin Clark, Mrs Roli Uduaghan and Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, for their various contributions to peace and human development. (NAN)
