He said this when he received the newly elected officers of the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, led by Chairman, Rev Caleb Maaji who paid him a courtesy visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Sunday.
He stressed that his administration has zero tolerance for anyone who is trying to bring problems that can result in the loss of lives, urging the leadership of the Christian Association to take the message out there, “that this government is responsible and our major responsibility is the protection of lives and properties.
According to him, there can never be development without peace: “I promise you, peace can only happen if the leader is just and tries to treat everyone equally without discrimination for me, justice is the key to peace.
“So I want to urge you all to continue to preach peace, unity, and oneness in this important State because if we all work together and try as much as possible to send very important messages of peace and in this State, there will never be any crisis or conflict within our community.”
The Governor donated a brand-new bus to the Christian Association, and encouraged them to continue to preach peaceful religious co-existence between adherents of both Christianity and Islam so that the State could be in peace.
“So I want to urge you all to continue to preach peace, unity, and oneness in this important state because if we all work together and try as much as possible to send very important messages of peace and in this State, there will never be any crisis or conflict within our community.
“Our government will try our best to make sure that we treat everyone equally, I made an oath to be fair to everyone and we will be fair to both Muslims and Christians, even those who did not vote for me, I told them that I will bring development to every part of Kaduna State.
“In politics, it is about more important governance. Governance means being fair to everyone and that is why if you go round Kaduna State, you will agree with me that we are taking development to every part of Kaduna State.
” We have done groundbreakings to construct roads and build skill-acquisition cities, ensuring that we also improve the level of our hospitals.
” It is not about politics, it’s about development. The most important thing is bringing everyone together, when we come together, we’ll work for Kaduna State and that is what is key to bringing development together
“Kaduna State is the most important State in Northern Nigeria, we are the political capital of the North and that is why everyone wants to copy what we are doing.
“If we live in peace and work for our state, others can copy what we are doing so I urge you, to let us work together,” the governor said.
He said that development in any human society cannot be achieved without peace. He charged the Association to continue to forge ahead in its quest for peaceful co-existence and intimates its members on the steps the government is taking to make life better for them.
He promised to look into others’ request tender before him by the CAN delegations.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Association, Reverend Caled Maaji said the new leadership came to express appreciation to the Governor for the delegation he sent to represent him and the government of the State during their inauguration.
“The Christian Community is truly appreciative of your kind presence at the Christmas Carol that took place last December,” he said.
According to him, it was historic because it has never taken place before, for a sitting Governor to make time to personally attend a Christmas Carol. “You and others were there and that has gone into the accounts of CAN in Kaduna State.
“We are grateful for the show of love and support. It has proved to the world that indeed, you are a people’s governor who is not biased and loves his people notwithstanding the difference of faith and we pray that for the 2024 Christmas Carol, you will be present by God’s grace.
“We use this opportunity, Sir, to state our unwavering support to your Administration and to make a commitment to you that in the Christian community, you are sure of our support, of our commitment, and we will always stand by you to succeed and achieve your goals for the State.
“One thing we do for you and not just now, is to pray for you for God’s wisdom, God’s guidance, to pray for good health and accident-free movement during your first four years of tenure.
“We are also here to present a few requests out of many, which we know are not beyond your administration.
“We have some important needs including, the need for mobility, and ask that the State government come to our aid. We plead for financial assistance from the State government to help us in the running of the office.
“Previously we had State-sponsored pilgrims that were taken and sponsored fully by the State government. We plead that it be considered and reintroduced for Christian pilgrims, where people who opportunity to go to the Holy Land and pray for the government and the peace and progress of our dear State. It worked before and we believe it will work again if given the opportunity.
“We request that the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board be reintroduced. A few weeks ago, I heard about the inauguration of the Muslim Pilgrim welfare board but that of the Christian is still pending.” he said.
