Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, has stressed the need for Nigerians to promote peace and live together with one another regardless of religious or political differences.

He spoke Tuesday shortly after the two raka prayers for this year’s Eid-el-kabir festival at Kontagora Central Eid Praying Ground in Kontagora Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Sani-Bello said the need for peaceful coexistence has become more necessary as the country approach the 2019 general elections.

He particularly appealed to all Nigerlites to remain calm “as government is doing everything possible to ensuring security of lives and property of its citizens.”

The Governor also called on youths to engage in meaningful ventures and be self-reliant, stressing that the wealth of any nation is determined by people engaged in various economic and entrepreneural skills.

He expressed gratitude to God for the tremendous improvement in the health condition of Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska. He was particularly grateful that the monarch attended the eid prayers and prayed Allah to give him more health to pilot the affairs of the emirate.

The Chief Imam of Kontagora, Malam Shehu Rimaye, had earlier in his sermon appealed to youths in the state to pay attention to the acquisition of education and vocational skills, saying that “government alone cannot be employer of labour”.

The cleric appealed to those at helm of affairs at various levels to be conscious of the need to provide opportunities where our teeming youths can acquire skills and become self-reliant.

Governor Sani-Bello and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, led thousands of Muslim faithful to observe the eid-prayers. Among other congregants were the Chairman Kontagora Local Government, Alhaji Ahmed Attahiru, Accountant General, Niger State, Alhaji Saidu Abdullahi and Retired General Sule Barau Said. Others included turbaned traditional title holders, district and village heads, political appointees among others.

In the same vein, former military governor of old Kano State, Colonel Sani Bello (rtd) cautioned that peace should be given a chance as the nation prepares for general election next year.

The former military leader, who is also the father of the Niger State Governor, maintained that no nation can develop without peace. According him, “Democracy engenders development and as we are preparing for general elections next year, we have to ensure peace and peaceful coexistence among our people, in the interest of this great nation.”

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