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| Governor Ben Ayade with Muslims in Calabar |
By Eval Asikong
Modern societies are built on the foundation of civil and religious liberty with the expectation of respect for civil right and the expression of prerogative of choice in religion and freedom of worship. In Nigeria where two religions are prominently futured, crisis of religious colour constitute the darkest chapters in our chequered history as a people.
Therefore, the Ayade-led-administration, in recognition of the fact that religion occupies a core position in nation-building or integration, has decided to demonstrate the need for peaceful co-existence, than mutual suspicions between Christians and Moslems by appointing Special Adviser on Non Indigenes in the person of Barr Musa Maigoro and Special Assistant on Non Indigenes and Moslem Affairs in the person of Alhaj Abdulkarim Adam, both, Moslems and from Northern part of the country to superintend and liaise between non indigenes/Moslems and the government.
It is based on this that the Moslem community in Cross River State has shown great appreciation for Governor Ayade and equally commended him for his signature projects, mostly, the Super-Highway which is going to provide the shortest route from the North to South-South and the entire BRACED Nation. The Moslem community equally pledges unwavering support and loyalty to the government of Governor Ayade and wishes him success in 2019.
This is exactly what is expected: appreciations/commendations, than expressions of discontent, mutual suspicions and acrimony; declaration of support and expression of gratitude than declaration of jihad and raising the flag of ethnic cleansing; expression of love than hate. All of these is a clear indication that Prof Ben is on course in addressing one of the world’s greatest problems in nation building.
Professor Uwana Elaiagwu prescribed horizontal integration which has to do with the elimination of CENTRIFUGAL loyalties and commitments as a channel to the much desired nation-building. But from the angle of feasibility, the prospect of Prof Eaiagwu’s model is hazy because, it did not take into consideration that such integration, which is only possible through the elimination of CENTRIFUGAL loyalties and the installation of CENTRIPETAL commitments, is more of a psycho-social function which is possible through religious channel and reorientaion, than institutional intervention, and for this reason, Prof S.P.I. Agi had faulted this model.
If Prof Uwana had adopted ‘religion’ as a concentric of his model, he could have emerged a global champion of modern nation-building. But in practical terms, that missing link has been provided by another professor, Prof Ben Ayade by creating environment of mutual trust between Christians and Moslems in the state which is the fastest means of facilitating Prof Uwana’s horizontal integration. However, it is not just religion, but how the religious component of the political super-structure is manipulated to enhance integration, is what counts.
In a telephone chat between the S.A. to the Governor on Social Media and the S.A. Non Indigenes and Moslem Affairs, it was revealed that the entire Moslem Community in Cross River State has declared a session of prayers for Governor Ben Ayade whom they have taken to be the most Moslem-friendly-governor in the country. However, the Special Adviser on Non Indigenes, Barr Musa Maigoro had also called the S.A. Social Media that he is in Kano to celebrate the Sala with his people and he is taking the greetings and goodwill message of the Cross River State Governor to his people in Kano. This is how Nigeria should be.
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| Alhaji Abdulkarim Adam, SA to Governor Ayade on Non Indigenes and Moslem Affairs |
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| SA and Deputy Imam, Alhaji Khamis Muhammad. Chief Imam name is Mallam Adamu |
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| SA with the members of Muslim community in Calabar |
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| SA with the Imam of Ogoja |
Eval Asikong, is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media