President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday, November 10, 2017 met with Muslim and Christian leaders to find a common ground for peace and harmony.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, represented the Christians while Muslims were represented by their groups across the country.
Buhari assured Nigerians that the administration would address rising concerns of corruption, insecurity and injustices in various parts of the country.
Femi Adesina, a spokesperson to the president, said Buhari gave the assurance when he received delegations of Christian and Muslim faithful separately at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Christian delegation was led by the president, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, while the Muslim delegation was led by the Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid Aliyu.
The President told the CAN delegation that he had already given instructions for the submission of all the names of heads of parastatals in order to address the allegations of lop-sidedness in appointments.
“On the question of one-sided appointments, we will look at it.
“I have given instructions that a list of all heads of parastatals be submitted to me and I know they will not delay in doing that,’’ he said.
Buhari said his administration would ensure reform of the police and judiciary, describing both institutions as critical for the security and stability of the nation.
“There is no way we can be comfortable in our country unless we are lucky to have a good police force and judiciary.
“We need a good police force and judiciary to really maintain the legitimacy and confidence of the populace in governance.’’
On the fight against corruption, the President assured both CAN and the JNI leaders that his administration would always be guided by the rule of law and the constitution in prosecuting all those that had been accused of corruption.
Buhari explained that corruption in the country had taken a cultural dimension, urging all religious leaders and Nigerians to join in the fight in order to reverse the trend.
“When something becomes a culture, it is more difficult to stop, but collectively we will prevail,’’ he assured the leaders.
In his remarks, Ayokunle commended the President’s achievements in the fight against corruption, empowerment of the military to flush out Boko Haram terrorists as well as the recovery of some of the kidnapped Chibok girls.
The Secretary-General of Jamaat Nasir Islam, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, appealed to the President to pay more attention to the yearnings of Nigerians, while urging him to continually walk in the fear of God.
Others who represented Muslims included JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Bala Lauw; Alhaji Ibrahim Bauchi, Sheikh Muhammad Jingir, Sheikh Qaribullah and Sheikh Yakubu Musa.
