Gov Fintiri Commends CAN For Peaceful Co-Existence

By Nicodemus Mika’il

The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has commended the State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (C. A. N), for its mutual understanding and prayers for the success of his administration. Governor Fintiri made the commendation in a speech he delivered during the quarterly State Executive
Council meeting of the Association that was held at its Secretariat in Yola.

He said “with joy in my heart, I want to appreciate you for your prayers and support to this administration. You have indeed proven your calling as clerics who are interested in the peace, growth and development of our State.”
Describing peace as the bedrock of development, he urged them not to relent in their prayers for progress, peace and stability of the state and country at large.
He stated that it is regrettable today that people think and act differently on issues of common interest to the growth and development of the nation as a result of the breakdown in their commonness and tolerance.
According to him, this is expressed in the form of the identity related conflicts and hostilities, religious intolerance as well as high level of criminality leading to more violent confrontations across Nigeria.
Even though, he noted, that their journey to nationhood may have been rough, he averred that their resolve should be a changing narrative of a return to being our brothers’ keepers as it used to be when the child belongs to the community, and religion, tribe or creed didn’t matter, but your contributions to building an egalitarian society where all were stakeholders.
While thanking God for restoration of peace back to the state, Governor Fintiri said Adamawa has maintained its posture as a peaceful State, despite conflicts and crisis that had threatened its peace in the past.
He added that the peace they are enjoying today is as a result of their prayers and government’s good thinking and mediation efforts in collaboration with groups and stakeholders like them (CAN) who are working assiduously to unite the people.
He maintained that as a result of this, today, those diversities that have made communities become deeply polarized and characterized by deep-rooted and intense animosity, mutual fear and stereotyping, driven by the dynamics of destructive persuasions that play up primordial perceptions and emotions, have disappeared.
Hence, he said his government will not leave any stone unturned until lasting peace is achieved in the State.
“Ours, is a Government on a mission to close the gaps and the missing links, to give every citizen his or her due and will not discriminate on any basis.”
He stated that in order to promote development and liberty for all, there must be peace and stability, stating that that can only be achieved under a regime of good governance, tolerance, harmonious co-existence and genuine reconciliation.
Therefore, he said, they have refused to be distracted by any comment or sentiment, but are determined to make Adamawa State great again.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Chairman of the Association, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Dami Manza, commended Governor Fintiri for his fairness, equity and justice to all citizens of the state regardless of their religious and ethnic affiliations.
He prayed for more success and assured the Governor of his Association’s resolve to partner with his administration to promote peaceful coexistence among divergent communities of the state.
Bishop Manza used the opportunity to call on both Christians and Muslims in the state to continue to be their brother’s and sister’s keepers wherever they find themselves.

In another development, the Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) Mayo-Belwa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Zethan RL Gazere, has urged Nigerians not to shy away from their routine responsibilities of regular hand washing, wearing of facemasks and keeping social distance as a means to curb the spread of the global pandemic of corona virus. Bishop Zethan gave the advice during his Sunday sermon delivered at LCCN Galilee of Sabongari B District of Mayo-Belwa Diocese.
He warned that they should not take the advantage of the relaxed lockdown for granted as it was not done because they were safe but it was for the economy, so should bear in mind their responsibilities of regular hand washing, maintaining social distance, wearing of facemasks and avoidance of crowded places.