The FCT Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has tasked the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to eschew violence and live as brothers.
The Minister gave this task on Wednesday while receiving the officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT Chapter led by Rev. Israel Akanji that paid him Christmas Homage in his official Residence, Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.
Mohammed emphasized that violence cannot take anybody anywhere; adding peace opens doors to growth, development and prosperity.
The Minister called for continued peaceful co-existence amongst all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory irrespective of political or religious inclinations.
He appreciated the visit on this auspicious day of Christmas and thanked the leadership of both Christian and Muslim religions in the Federal Capital Territory for the responsible role they have always been playing in the day to day live of the Territory.
According to him, the leadership of these two religions have shown wisdom and responsibility in conduct as well as relationship with their followers, resident in the Federal Capital Territory.
Mohammed, a former Senator challenged religious leaders in the 36 states of the federation to emulate the exemplary posture of the FCT religious leaders by replicating what they are doing in the FCT to ensure that the whole nation is at peace at all the times.
While assuring them that his Administration will continue to support them in achieving their target goals, he also urged them to remain supportive to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
His words: “I urge you to continue to support the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to continue in its Transformation Agenda”.
Speaking earlier, the FCT CAN Chairman, Rev. Israel Akanji prayed that Nigeria and its leadership would continue to be in peace and grow from strength to strength.
Rev. Akanji revealed that FCT CAN recently held an election and that seven of the members of the Executive were re-elected which he attributed to the wonderful cooperation they have been receiving from the FCT Minister.
He reiterated that they were very happy to have served their people ie. Christian Community living in FCT, during the tenure of Bala Mohammed as Minister.
Akanji said that Mohammed has always been promoting religious harmony, which has made their jobs as religious leaders very easy.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide as well as the FCT Permanent Secretary, John O. Chukwu earlier paid Christmas Homage on the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) at the Presidential Villa.
