Date: 2009-12-07

Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has called on religious leaders to continue to preach peaceful religious co-existence between adherents of both Christianity and Islam so that Nigeria could be in peace. 

Receiving members of the State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at the weekend, which paid him a thank-you visit in his office, at Government House, Ilorin the Saraki stressed the need for religious harmony for the citizen to enjoy the dividends of democracy. 

Saraki, who observed that development in any human society cannot be achieved without peace, charged the Association to continue to forge ahead in its quest for peaceful co-existence. 

He explained that preaching peaceful co-existence should not only be left in the hands of religious leaders alone but the collective responsibility of all and sundry. 

Governor Saraki, who also called for regular interaction between religious leaders, thanked CAN members for their continued prayers towards ensuring the success of his administration. 

Earlier, the State Chairman of the Association, Reverend (Dr) James Folarami had explained that the purpose of their visit was to thank the governor for the donation of a new bus to CAN by the State Government. 

Rev. Folaranmi, who also submitted a copy of the Association’s appreciation letter to Dr Saraki, thanked him for the warm reception accorded the CAN members and for the upward increase in the number of Christian Pilgrims from the State. "Sir, without mincing words, Your Excellency, through this singular act has scored another first in the history of Kwara State as the first Chief Executive to donate a Vehicle to the Umbrella body of Christian in Kwara State", the letter reads in part. 

The Christian body however, assured Dr Saraki of their unflinching and unalloyed commitment to the peace and progress of the State. 

"Your Excellency can continue to count on our ceaseless prayers and other forms of support to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the fulfilment of your laudable programmes for our dear State of Harmony", the appreciation letter further reads  

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
December 7, 2008