Kaduna State governor, Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai has asked God to put to shame, apostle of violence and division in Kaduna state in particular and Nigeria in general.
In his New Year message to the people of Kaduna State, Governor El-Rudai said: “we invoke the blessings of the Almighty on all our people, that harmony will prevail in our land and that the apostles of violence and division will be shamed. We have high hopes for 2017; that it will be a year of peace and growth for our state, and our country, Nigeria.”
He said that his government achieved some progress in 2016, and admitted that “much more remains to accomplish. Through it all, we have confronted our difficulties with the same decisiveness that has produced results across sectors. We have imposed discipline on the finances of our state, increased IGR and ensured that we pass our budget well before a new calendar year.”
The governor said that amidst many successes which his government has achieved: “we have experienced security challenges in parts of Kaduna State. While we succeeded in degrading the ability and impunity of cattle rustlers and kidnappers in parts of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun and Igabi Local Governments, sporadic banditry remains and continues to disturb our citizens. We remain committed to bringing these concerns to an end.
“The years of lawlessness and impunity under the guise of religious conduct compelled the State Government to propose amendments to existing legislation that regulates the sometimes reckless conduct of some clerics. And in parts of Jema’a, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru and Zangon Katab Local Governments, communal unrest has emerged once again that compelled us to take extraordinary security measures. We hope that these will be relaxed as soon as the security situation continues to improve.
“We regret and condemn the loss of lives and property, and the disruption of social order that have been sadly witnessed in those areas. We welcome the assistance of the Federal Government in deploying additional security assets to the area. Through all these, we have been guided by the responsibilities of our oath of office, rather than the media headlines or any pressing need to respond to irresponsible incitement and failure of collective leadership at community level.
“The human toll that our compatriots in parts of Kaduna State have been seized upon at various points as occasions for much irresponsible commentary and intense efforts to fan division by those care least about loss of lives and property. I wish to assure all the people of Kaduna State that we will continue to do our best to uphold security and to promote peace and harmony. That duty also imposes on us an obligation to vigorously enforce our laws, uphold the rule of law, punish hate speech and incitement.”
Governor El-Rufai called on the people in the state to march into 2017 together, upholding harmony and a common humanity and jointly pursuing those policies and programmes that can best enhance the progress and live chances of the people.
“Let us resist the urge to demonise the other or attribute the worst to people whose religion or language differs from ours.
“Let us keep hope alive and work together to make 2017 a better year for all. As we enter this year with cautious optimism, please be rest assured that the State Government will continue to put social justice, consultation and the primacy of public interest as the guiding principles of our governance strategy for the benefit of the majority of our citizens.” [myad]
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