El-Rufai tasks citizens on agriculture to reduce hunger

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has appealed to the people of Kaduna State to get involved in agriculture, to reduce hunger and prices of food stuff.

El-Rufai gave the advice when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Bamalli, on the traditional Hawan Bariki on Tuesday in Zaria.

According to him, his administration is working hard to ensure that the activities of bandits against farmers are tackled.

El-Rufai thanked God for making it possible to witness yet another Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The Governor appreciated citizens in some of the communities who fasted and worshiped amidst lingering fears and anxiety about their safety.

“The Kaduna State Government will  continue to do everything it can to mobilise and support the federal security agencies to defeat the terrorists and criminals that attack our people.’’

The Governor also listed measures that the state had been taking in tackling insecurity since he assumed office in 2015.

“My first official action as Governor on 29 May, 2015 was to summon an emergency meeting of the State Security Council which was held on  May 30, 2015.

“The specific purpose was to identify the security threats across the state and find  effective solutions to address them.

“One of the outcomes of that meeting was the decision to collaborate with the Governors of the other states in the North-west and Niger State.

“The aim was to fund a joint military operation to clear the Kamuku-Kuyambana Forest in the Birnin Gwari axis and other areas harboring Cattle rustlers,’’ he said.

El-Rufai said it was regrettable that while  the result of his action decimated the criminals, necessary follow-up operations were not sustained by the security agencies.

He reiterated that Kaduna state remained convinced that comprehensive, simultaneous military and security operation in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Plateau and Niger was vital to stopping the terrorists.

“We created a specialised Ministry of Internal Security, and we continue to support the federal security agencies with logistics and other resources.

“We are engaging the highest echelons of government and the security structure on resolute action to protect the lives, liberty and livelihoods of our people,’’ he said.

The Governor pointed out that criminal elements were being assisted by a network of informants in many communities, adding that the traditional institutions should mobilise their networks to expose them and support the security forces with local intelligence.

El-Rufai also called on citizens to participate in the process of selecting candidates for the 2023 general elections and make it a peaceful exercise in the freedom of choice.

“It is important to the integrity of the process, and to the safety of citizens that everyone should conduct themselves with respect for law and order.”

The Governor also appealed for responsible behaviour and decent utterances all through the political process.

Insecurity, Group harps on inter-faith harmony, peaceful coexistence

An Islamic group, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, on Tuesday, harped on inter-faith harmony and peaceful coexistence as panacea to the security challenge currently facing the country.

The Imam of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Worldwide, Shaheed Ahmad, stated this in Benin, on the occasion of this year’s Eid Milad party, organised by the group.

According to Ahmad, who is presently serving Edo and Delta states, Eid Milad party is an occasion where the group fetes members of its immediate host community, irrespective of their faiths.

He stressed the need for maintaining love and harmony with fellow humans so as to enhance a peaceful atmosphere in the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

“You know in these days of insecurity everywhere, we must maintain good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence among one another.

“Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at has, as its motto, ‘Love for all, hatred for none. This is the fundamental doctrine given to us by the founder of Islam. So we are representing true Islam in this regard,” he said.

Ahmad noted that for peace to reign, people must learn how to show love and live in harmony, with mutual understanding and consultation.

“We need love and brotherliness, while our neighbours must be very important to us.

“You should not deny your neighbours any form of assistance and you must walk together in peace,” he said.

The Imam said that the motive of the get-together was not only to eat and drink, but to also serve as an opportunity for those in attendance to know their immediate neighbours and promote inter-faith harmony.

This, he said, was with a view to ensuring mutual assistance, when the need arose.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, Secretary of the landlords and landladies association, Back of Stadium, Mr Aikpitanyi Osas, commended the group for the gesture.

Osas described the programme as an indication of the group’s love for oneness, in conformity with the message of peace being preached by Islam.

According to him, the group has been able to reawaken the respect and love it has for Islam and humanity.