Atiku Worried About Deepening Frenzy Of Hate, Intolerance Amongst Nigerians

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed worry over what he called, the deepening frency of hate, intolerance and bigotry amongst the different Nigerian nationalities.

This is even as he appealed to such Nigerians to rid their hearts and minds of hate, intolerance and prejudice, which he said promote violent conflicts and destruction of life and property in the country.

In his Sallah message on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir celebration, the former Vice President stressed that every passing day, he is saddened by the “deepening frenzy of hate, intolerance and bigotry”, which produce toxic effects on unity and harmony among Nigerians.

Atiku appealed to Nigerians to use religion to create a conflict free society, reminding them that love is the universal language of all the world’s religions.

He also advised Muslims and other Nigerians to be good ambassadors of the teachings of their own religions, even as he particularly appealed to the Muslims to pay greater attention to stemming and eliminating poisonous extremist tendencies by ensuring that people with violent ideologies are not allowed to influence the innocent in the wrong direction.

Atiku called on Muslims to always speak with one voice against extremism because of the great harm it has been causing the image of Islam and its adherents, adding that the greatest honour Muslims can do to their religion is to live by its virtues.

The former Vice President said that the virtues of Eid-el Kabir should not be treated as a transient attraction and forgotten soon after the celebration was over.

Atiku, who is the Turaki Adamawa spoke on the hardship among ordinary Nigerians and called on Muslim leaders to identify with the plight of the people. He urged well-to-do Muslims to contribute in their own ways to job creation instead of expecting the government to carry the entire burden. [myad]