Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sought for peace, understanding and tolerance among Nigerians as Muslim faithful celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr.
Speaking on Monday at his Nvosi country home while receiving members of the Muslim community in Abia State who paid him Sallah homage, Otti noted that his administration does not discriminate along religious, gender or tribal lines.
He said, “I think it is lack of understanding that makes people begin to kill each other and to discriminate. If we understand clearly that God created us equally, then some of the problems we are seeing, we won’t see them,”
“So, if you discriminate, you will shortchange yourself. You will make it difficult for you to reap the full benefits deposited in every human being.
“That is why our administration does not discriminate. I am sure you are aware that our Head of Service is from Edo State.
“We have literally abolished State of Origin syndrome here. So, if you live here and you are a good citizen of the country and you pay your taxes here and contribute to the development here, you are from here”.
He used the opportunity to announce that some roads in Aba like Ohanko Road, which is being reconstructed, would be completed by the end of April, pointing out that the road is being done with cement pavement technology to ensure durability.
The Muslim community used the opportunity to request to retrieve its cemetery in Umuahia, which the certificate of occupancy was revoked by the previous administration.
The Governor assured that his government would investigate and find out what the issue was with a view to resolving it.
Otti, who congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the completion of their Ramadan fast, noted that the event falls within the lent period of the Christian calendar and therefore commended the Muslim community for the support they gave him, before, during and after the 2023 general elections in Abia State.
While addressing the Muslim community, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika congratulated them for going through this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.
He noted that it is only through religious and ethnic tolerance that peace, security and unity can be achieved.
In his speech, the Chief Imam of Abia State, Sheikh Ali Ukiwo explained that the Sallah celebration marks the end of the 30 days of praying and fasting in the Islamic calendar.
According to him Muslims in the state used the period to pray for the continued peace and security of the state as well as the success of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
Sheikh Ukiwo while thanking God for using the governor to restore the hope of Abians, thanked him for sponsoring their trip to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
In their remarks, the Sarki Hausa, Umuahia and the Chairman South-South/South East Council of Muslim leaders, Sarki Yaro Danladi and his Aba Community counterpart, Sarki Shehu Bello appreciated the governor for his performance in office especially in the area of infrastructure Aba and other parts of the state.
They called for more efforts towards decongesting Aba and making it a growing commercial activity.
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