BEVERLY HILLS, June 22, (THEWILL) – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stated that Nigeria can remain one indivisible entity by retracing its step to where the nation missed it, stressing that this can be achieved through dialogue.
This was as he lamented that the level of patriotism in the country was very low and admonished Nigerians to develop their country as nobody would do that for them.
Abubakar stated this in Sokoto
on Wednesday night, when he hosted some religious groups, residents and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to a Ramadan dinner.
He commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for initiating the series of wide consultations as a means of calming the risen tension in the country.
The monarch said, “dialogue remains the only plausible panacea to Nigeria’s myriad of challenges.
“There is no problem in the world that dialogue cannot solve. Crises are not unique to Nigeria.
“We should sit down, discuss issues and problems, as well as see where we have gone wrong and what went wrong.
“We should see where we have derailed and retrace our steps, then move forward as a single, indivisible country.
“There is no problem without a solution and there is no padlock made without keys to open it. It remains for us to see how to open it.”
Abubakar promised that the traditional institutions would continue to work relentlessly for Nigeria to remain peaceful, united and indivisible.
He noted that regardless of their religious, political and ethnic affiliation, Nigerians were eager to live in peace and unity with one another.
According to him, “we must all strive to develop Nigeria into a country based on justice, fair-play and respect for one another.
“Above all, we need the fear of God, with the fear of God, you find things going right. God is the Alpha and Omega.
“The fear of God is the key to solving all our problems. Nigerians are very religious people and we have various Mosques and Churches.”
On recurring farmers-herdsmen clashes, the Sultan said that those causing mayhem were strangers and urged that those perpetrating these crimes should be treated as criminals.
He underscored the need for Nigerians to trust each other, saying that “challenges were meant to strengthen Nigeria’s unity”.
The monarch harped on the need for Nigerians to understand their differences, live in peace, adding that there would be no trust and unity when there is suspicion.
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