A SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SULLIVAN CHIME, GOVERNOR OF ENUGU STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE MEETING OF INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL AT PROTEA HOTEL, ENUGU

PROTOCOL

I feel honoured to be invited to address this distinguished audience on an issue that is dear to our hearts. Religion, no matter the denominations, is critical not only for the nourishment of our souls but also for our salvation as people and as a nation.

In the same vein, religious harmony, we all acknowledge, is synonymous with our well-being as a nation. Thus, we must, as a nation, make whatever sacrifices that necessary to ensure that we live as brothers and sisters no matter our religious inclinations.

It is in this regard that I recognize today’s meeting as both timely and appropriate. This is because it offers us a rare opportunity to do a soul searching as a people and also to chart a new roadmap for the understanding and accommodation of all religions.

Fortunately, both Christianity and Islam as well as other religions preach peace and tolerance by their distinct worshippers. Therefore, I believe that we have come here to think together and see how we can sustain the tempo of the cordiality that exists today between our Christian and Moslem citizens.

I must say, at this juncture, that with the cream of peace-loving dignitaries gathered here for today’s Council’s deliberations, I am convinced beyond doubt that we have assembled the best team that will give us the necessary tools for the much-needed co-operation and harmony.

My challenge to our respected royal fathers and other respected personalities on this Council is to come up with concrete resolutions on ways that we can all be our brothers’ keepers. I have implicit confidence that you have the wherewithal to accomplish this goal.

On our part in Enugu State, we will continue to uphold those ideals that unite both Christians and Moslems. May I reiterate once more that our relationship with our Moslem brothers and sisters has been most cordial and exemplary. As a result of this, our Government sponsored our Moslem brothers and sisters notwithstanding their states of origin to the recent pilgrimage. We will do everything possible to sustain such beneficial co-existence.

I want to put on record our eternal gratitude to the Nigerian Council for Islamic Affairs for choosing Enugu State as host of the first ever meeting of the Council outside its traditional capital. We thank you for that historic honour and pledge our commitment as a Government to encourage understanding and offer assistance to the various religions.   

May I, in a special way, thank His Eminence, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III for his remarkable leadership and for the worthy reforms he is introducing to Islam. In the same measure, I wish to express my gratitude to other Emirs and leaders of the Council.

We sincerely hope that you have had a wonderful stay in Enugu. And like I said during the opening ceremony of the Council’s meeting, we are ready to host the Council’s meetings when next it is the turn of the South-East region.

As you return to your various destinations, we pray that Almighty Allah grants you journey mercies and that you meet your families in good health.

Thank you and may Allah bless you.