The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has said President Bola Tinubu will not weaponise religion and ethnicity, saying this can seen from his appointment spread across religions and ethnic divides.
Akume also said Nigeria should rest assured that Tinubu would deliver on his Renewed Hope agenda.
The SGF spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council 2023 fourth quarterly meeting tagged: “Restoration of Hope in Nigeria.”
At the event was also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad, and the President of the Christians Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh.
Akume, in his submission, noted that religion was very sensitive and volatile, hence, religious leaders should focus on promoting mutual understanding while the political leaders work for the common good and welfare of the people.
He said, “What exactly can renew and restore the hope of the citizens? The first thing we must do as Christians and Muslims is to have absolute trust in God.
“With our human and natural resources, Nigerians have no reason to live in penury. This government will not weaponise religion and ethnicity as you can see in the appointments so far by the President. We are laying a foundation that will put smiles on the faces of the citizens. This is why we call for a renewed hope. Let us live in unity to a point that though tongue and tribe may differ, in unity we must stand.
“This government believes in consultation with all levels and societal classes to achieve development in terms of security, human development, and peaceful co-existence. The transformation of any society depends on the level of the positive change of attitude of each individual from the ruling class to the grassroots.
“Apart from the effort of the government to renew and restore the hope of the citizens, every Nigerian is a stakeholder in national development by having a change of attitude and renewed mentality.”
On his part, the Sultan appealed to Nigerians to come together to address the country’s challenges.
He stated, “We must always tell the truth. When things are bad, we must say. When things are good, we must say it, because, as stated by Usman Danfodio, conscience is an open wound; only the truth can heal it.
“Things are bad, but it will get better. We must talk to our people never to lose hope. We must not lose hope. Yes, there are challenges, let us raise, come together, and pray for our country.”
Earlier in his remarks, the CAN President declared that good governance was key to the restoration of hope.
He said, “Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources, more than many nations of the world but we need to get it right on the management of these resources for the good of all.
“Good governance, therefore, is key as we consider the restoration of hope in Nigeria. We must get to that level where Nigerians would be convinced to have faith in those in those in charge of governance.”
(Punch)
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