…. Says Islam and Christianity of same family
Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo has challenged Muslim and
Christian women to initiate proactive measures that will offer
solutions to Boko Haram insurgency that has threatened peace in the
northern Nigeria.
Governor Okorocha who stated while speaking at the 27th Annual
National Conference of Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in
Nigeria [FOMWAN] argued that time is up for a joint Action Group
comprising both Muslim and Christian women with the task of working
for collectively to ensure a sustainable peace particularly in the
Northern part of the country.
The governor said “I want to declare now that Imo has become the
center of unity in the Federal republic of Nigeria. I say this
because by my left hand side are the Christian women, my right hand
side are the Muslim women meaning that God is about doing something
through the women of Federal republic of Nigeria.
“Men love ego, men love crises, but mothers love peace because nobody
feels the pains of carrying a child for nine months like they feel.
So, there are no better people to make peace in the north and south
than the women of Nigerian. May I urge you to set up a Joint Action
Group of both Muslim and Christian Women working together towards
bringing peace in all parts of Northern Nigeria”.
Governor Okorocha also poited that the solution to Boko Haram
insurgency should not be left for politicians and those in the
corridors of power to avoid further politicization of the matter.
“My suggestion is that the issue of Boko Haram should not be left for
politicians for it will get further politized. If you also leave it in the hands of those in government, it may get worse and that’s why I
want mothers to take the front stage. Now, I want you to go back to
those your usual manner of crying when your child has not done well.
Your tears alone can stop Boko Haram” Governor Okorocha lamented.
He reiterated that peace remains the best option in the faces of
security challenges that have recently threatened the peace and unity
of Nigeria as a nation adding that much development will not be
achieved in an atmosphere characterized by insecurity. The governor
also dismissed the insinuation suggesting that Islam as a religion, is
a vehicle of violence even as he maintained that Boko Haram activities
are not targeted at Christians.
“We need not to be told that Islam is a religion of peace and the
whole world understands that and we believe in it. But let me tell
all of us that what we must preach now is nothing but a thing of
brotherhood. Though tribe and tongue may differ, though colours may
differ, but in brotherhood we all stand. Let us preach the gospel of
unity and togetherness” Governor Okorocha said.
Governor Okorocha commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his wisdom
in combating the activities of the dreaded group and other security
challenges. He said “I commend Mr President because his wisdom has
helped in making sure that the crises does not degenerate into
religious war. We must thank him for ensuring that muslims and
Christians remain in one united family”
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab
Maina, who represented the wife of Mr. President commended the
President for recognizing the potentials of Nigerian women and for the
opportunity given to many women in his government.
She observed that Nigerians women have the potentials and capacity to
contribute in actualizing a society free of violence, adding that a
step towards achieving such task must begin at home with sound moral
upbringing of the children.
Earlier, the National Amirrah/President, Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman
said the 27th FOMWAN Annual National Conference with the theme “Islam,
Peace and Security in a Contemporary Society” is a celebration of
development in the areas of primary health-care, early-middle-adult
education, vocational development, orphans and vulnerable children,
women empowerment, agriculture and food sufficiency and small and
medium scale enterprises by the association.
