National Orientation Agency Bauchi Embarks On Nationwide Security Campaign.

By Abdullahi Yahaya Maikano

The National Orientation Agency NOA in Bauchi State has embarked on sensitization campaign on religious leaders in the state on the need to engage in peace building initiatives in order to rid the country out of insecurity.

The State Director of the Agency Alhaji Nuru Yusuf Kobi said the move was part of its nationwide sensitization campaign on security challenge being experienced in some parts of the country.

Alhaji Nuru Yusuf Kobi said the aim of the visit was to collaborate with clergymen in the state on ways to address insecurity with a view to restore peace in various parts of the state and the country at large.

He noted that all hands must be on deck to contain the issue of insecurity as the yuletide and election eras are approaching, stressing that gospel of peace should be spread among individuals for the country to overcome the challenge.

“What we are doing today is to visit Jama’atu Nasril Islam JNI and Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, we have gone there to synergize with then to make sure that we preach the gospel of peace in Bauchi state and I also appeal to them that they should include in their Friday and Sunday sermons to talk to people on the need for us to build people of peace”.

The State NOA Director who was at both Muslim and Christian Communities with Jama’atu Nasril Islam JNI and Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Bauchi explained that adherents of Islam and Christianity have significant role to play to overcome the issue through tolerance and engaging in dialogue whenever the need arises.

Responding the Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam Bauchi State Branch Engr Ahmad Jumba represented by the Executive Director of the Nigeria Aid of the JNI Bala Ibrahim Sani who appreciated NOA for the visit, said they have directed Imams of all mosques across the state to embark on special prayers for peace to reign.

“The Leader of Jama’atu Nasril Islam at the National level has issued a circular to inform the general public to embark on special prayers due to insecurity happening in the country, we here in Bauchi have started and we are going to inform all the follower to continue doing the special prayers during Friday prayer and the five daily prayers to see that the country in general have become safe”.

On his part the Chief Imam of Bauchi Alhaji Bala Ahmad Baban Inna represented by Malam Adamu Limanci attributed the rising cases of insecurity in the country to poverty among citizens and charged politicians not to use youth as political thugs during their campaigns.

The State Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Reverend Abraham Damina stressed that no meaningful development could be achieved without peace and assured of their support in ensuring that peace is restored.

Reverend Damina who noted that Christianity preaches peace and harmony said they would continue to preach peace for sustainable development.

“For us also to spread the message of peace in our various churches and to ensure that we have a peaceful atmosphere in Nigeria”.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the National Flag by the NOA as a symbol of peace.