The Federal Government is working towards ensuring harmonious co-existence between the farmers and nomadic pastoralists, Vice President Namadi Sambo assured on Saturday.
Speaking today at the 50th anniversary of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) at its headquarters in Kaduna State, he said government has strategized on how to curb the constant clashes between the two groups are making efforts to address issues of grazing routes and grazing reserve to avoid conflict between the duo.
Vice President Sambo called on JNI to continue to be steadfast in its spiritual and worldly obligations by promoting the spirit of unity, oneness, brotherhood and inter-religious harmony amongst Nigerians and to always shun acts capable of derailing the noble path set by the founding fathers of the organization.
He paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the Islamic body – JAMA’ATU NASRIL ISLAM (JNI), especially the late premier of Northern region, Sir Ahamdu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, for conceptualizing the organization.
“We must not forget to honour the founding fathers of this organization, most of whom are not here with us today. The Late premier of Northern region Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto (May Allah be pleased with him) deserved honour today for his great wisdom and deep foresight in bringing to existence this great body that would promote the deep moral teachings of Islam and protect the interest of the Muslim Ummah.
“The late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, the erstwhile Grand Khadi of Northern Nigeria must be remembered for his great role in sustaining this great legacy bequeathed to us up till the time of his death. May Allah reward their good deeds with Aljannat Firdausi,” he said.
Sambo noted that JNI has continued in its goals and objectives of education and enlightenment as well as promotion of peace, adding that it has continued to educate and enlighten the Ummah on the the great teachings of the region of Islam.
Quoting “Suratul Fatir verse 28 Allah SWT commanded ‘It is only those who have knowledge among his servants that fear Allah”, he said the administration has evolved the Tsangaya or Almajirai model schools which integrate the teeming young Almajirais into Basic Education programme to provide them the opportunity for both western as well as Islamic education.
He commended the council of Ulamma for its unwavering efforts at ensuring unity and uniformity in the observance of Islamic religions obligations especially in the observation of the Muslim calendar and ensuring intra-religious harmony and providing the platform through which conflicting issues could be resolved.
He also commended the JNI Volunteer Corp as the JNI Aid Group has been lending volunteer services to the needy through its numerous network, noting that every positive development effort must be faced with some challenges. He said the nation is faced with an alien situation, criminals masquerading under religious guise to perpetuate their evil acts have suddenly emerged. He assured that “government will see to the end of this alien criminal and barbaric act within the universal acceptable standard code of behavior”.
Earlier, the President-General of JNI and Sultan of Sokoto, Mahammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, he said the organization decided to have a lecture in order to know its challenges and prospects and thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his kind gesture and assistance to JNI as well as the Muslim Ummah for unity and support.
He said JNI will continue to say the truth when things go wrong as it stands for the unity of the country and called on non-Muslims to rally around for the unity of the country and not regard whatever they say in the negative. The Sultan said they are worried about the Muslims, Christians and the fulanis killed during attacks and will not stop advising government on way forward.
Delivering his lecture on Strengths, achievements, prospects and challenges of JNI, Prof. Shehu Ahmad Sa’ad Galadanci, a former ambassador of Nigeria to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, discussed the brief history of NJI and the founding fathers, saying the northern region, which was the largest in terms of size and the most populous, was lacking in terms of the western education but was richly endowed in agriculture and a highly organized administrative structure and system under the control of emirs and chiefs.
He said the dispute between the Tijjaniyya and Qadirriyya and other crisis and differences in the school of thought led to the formation of the organization. He spoke on the achievements, which include efforts towards strengthening the faith and knowledge of Muslims, efforts at uniting Muslims among others he also spoke about challenges and urged JNI to refocus itself and reduce its mandate so as to achieve a much more efficient organization.
In his remark, the host governor, Murkhta Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, said steps should be taken to achieve enduring peace and peaceful- existence in the country and JNI and other organizations should galvanize the people to find peace and development.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and others also give their goodwill messages.
