By Amos Tauna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has called on South eastern governors and Ndigbo leadership to emulate their counterpart in the North by calling Biafran agitators to order.
A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, in Kaduna Wednesday said that the grievances could be best addressed through dialogue not through violent agitations, threats and intimidation to lives and property.
The forum also urged all Nigerians to avoid hate speeches and acts that are capable of jeopardizing the peaceful coexistence of the country.
The statement reads, “The Eid-el-Adha or Eid-el-Kabir is a Muslim festival that is celebrated annually in the month of Zul-Hajj all over the world by Muslim faithful, where rams are slaughtered in obedience to Allah’s command. It is also a period of sacrifice and a reflection on the significance of the letter and the spirit of the festival.
“The Muslim Ummah are therefore enjoined to be steadfast in propagating what Islam stands for, among which are love, good neighborliness, accommodation, compassion, support for the needy and peaceful coexistence.”
The statement added, “Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, hereby, wishes to extend its felicitations and good wishes to the Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians on this special occasion of Eid-el-Kabir. May the lessons of the sacrifices translate into unity of purpose and love for Nigeria.
“We urge all Nigerians to be patient with one another, with government and continue to have hope as our current socio-economic challenges are not beyond redemption, considering government’s systematic efforts in diversifying other sectors of the economy.
“However, ACF has observed with concern the open disagreement among agencies of government over simple administrative issues that are capable of affecting unity of purpose with clear thought and morality.
“Nigeria cannot afford avoidable divided presidency, as it is not helpful to our democracy and development. ACF therefore appeals to the agencies concerned to guide against actions that can be sand bags on the path of efforts to deliver on the promise of democracy.”
It appealed to leaders at all levels of government to be God’s fearing, just, sincere and responsible in discharging their duties, while exhibit decorum and civility in words and deeds.
“We particularly appeal to our youths as leaders of tomorrow, to avail themselves to government empowerment facilities and engage in lawful productive ventures that will add value to themselves and the community, rather than be vanguard of destruction that comes with frustrations. We should make the most,” the statement explained.
