From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
Niger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has released a sum of N20m for the renovation of the Anglican Cathedral in Minna, the Niger state capital, aimed at encouraging peaceful coexistence among Nigerians regardless of ethno-religious affinity.
In an issued press statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ayegba Israel Ebije, the governor noted that the state government will continue to encourage people of different faith to achieve developmental aspiration of Niger state, adding that where there is peace, economic growth and structural development is guaranteed.
“We must live as a family regardless of where we are coming from or who we are dealing with. I will relate with everybody including those who do not believe in God because am the governor and my position as governor only permits me to relate with everybody regardless of inclination”.
“It is indeed the challenge of having a good base to relate with people of other ethnic or religious background that has affected the country in the area of peace. We do not discriminate, we encourage everybody to live in Niger and it is yielding results as people spend their money in building structures in the state”.
The statement also noted that the state has embarked on a N1.5bn Ecumenical Center in Minna, for Muslim and Christian faithful and had earlier spent monies to build or renovate places of worship in the state to persuade a relationship of peace, unity amidst a centralized developmental aspiration.
The Primate of Nigerian Anglican Communion Abuja, the Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh, while thanking the governor for his kind gesture, called on Nigerian leaders to imbibe progressive leadership attributes targeted at ending insecurity in the country.
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