Speaker, Reps Member, Vice Chairman, Clerics, Others Receive CAN Merit Award In Kaduna

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, representing, Makera constituency, Rt Hon Dahiru Liman Yusuf, Member Representing Kaduna south in federal House of Representatives, Hon Hussaini Abdulkarim, Vice Chairman Kaduna south LGA , Hon Nehemiah Baba karik, Rev Fr Oteku, Imam Muhammad and 18 others have on Sunday been honoured by CAN Kakuri zone.

The award being first of its kind attracted the political class, traditional and religious leaders across faiths, aimed at honouring those who have made invaluable contributions to peace and the polity.

Shortly after receiving his award, the speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Liman Dahiru, represented by Hon Kajang Joshua, described the award as ” a thing of joy’ , it’s a thing that someone cannot forget looking at the awards given, it’s, both for Christians and Muslims , that means unity, meaning this award is a sign of bringing the needed unity to our community and state, we truly appreciate and commend the organizers for doing that” he said

Similarly, the Honourable member House of Representatives, Kaduna South constituency, Hon Hussaini Abdulkarim( Maikero)represented by his legislative aide, Mr Job. T. Zakka , said ” I want to first and foremost thank God Almighty for the great opportunity given to him to serve his people, another one is to thank CAN for seeing the massive dividend of democracy that he brought to his people and gave him this merit award, we appreciate them and we thank them for encouraging us to do more” he added

In the same vein, Vice Chairman, Kaduna South LGA, Hon Nehemiah Baba Karik, Said ” I’m very happy for this award, for the Christian body to recognize you and give you an award is something wonderful, and I really appreciate it: throughout my life I will continue to appreciate this award,

” From here I pray God should give me the wisdom in the way I will handle some issues pertaining the Christendom and other faiths, I pray God will give us the wisdom to carry each and every one along” he reiterated

One of the recipients of the merit awards, the Priest In charge of St John’s pastoral area, Kurmin Gwari, Kakuri, Rev Fr Gabriel Otekwu, expressing delight shortly after receiving the award, said ” I do not just see the award as a recognition, but I see it as a gadfly that should stick me the consciousness to be more committed to the work of CAN, which I will certainly do by the grace of God.”

Speaking further on unity ” I think unity is what we should always go for as Christians because that is the reason why Christ came and even in John Gospel chapter 11: 21, He prayed that all should be one and as such as a Christian wherever you find yourself you should commit yourself towards that course of unity, because those who go for unity definitely are Sons and daughters of God” he added.

On his part, Imam of Jubwis Jummat Mosque, Dawaki Bassa, Kakuri, Muhammad Sani Muhammad and recipient of a merit award, expressing appreciation, while speaking in Hausa pointed out that he’s in fact entering a church for the first time in his over decades of being an Islamic cleric, saying ” infact this is the first time of my entering a church adding that, meetings between Muslims and Christians did not start now,

,” the support that Muslims requested at the initial inception was granted by Christians, the Leader of Abashia, he welcomed Muslims and respected them, even the Holy Koran pointed out that those who love you most are Christians, so in the true sense of our Holy book, we know Christians love us Muslims as we also love Christians.” he averred.

He however lamented the challenges to Peace faced over years due to the absence of meetings and events of this nature, because this kind of initiative goes a long way to bridge the gaps and strengthens unity, understanding and peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians, Adding by commending the organisers for the award as it will spur him to always do more for peace.

The CAN Northwest Secretary, Rev. Dr James Movel Wuyeb, impressed with the peace award initiative, said ” I braced into this zonal meeting because it’s holding in my local Church and the fact also is that the recognition given to non-Christians, to me is a step in the right direction and that churches who are very committed were also recognized, for me, this is good and it’s bridge building, it shows that this church where you’re standing is an indigenous church, we understand the dynamics of our neighbours the non Christians

” and for the first. time the imam was saying, ‘ this is my first time ever in a church’ this has sent a clear message to people in Kaduna State that coexistence is possible, Christians and Muslims can coexist side by side and be recognized, so I’m so excited by the initiative by CAN Kakuri zone for bringing their neighbours closer to themselves, there’s no greater evangelism than this” he stressed

Earlier, the CAN Chairman, Kakuri Zone, Rev. Prince O. Munonye, said, the new leadership upon assumption of office three months ago found it expedient to gather the people and the church, ” because we found out that the chuzrch is so divided, so we need unity and we want to also gather the Royal Fathers and Politicians and all that matter in the polity, and want to show them that CAN Kakuri most especially is not for politics at all, but CAN is meant to gather everybody, irrespective of faiths, so that is why we are here “

He expressed appreciation on the success of maiden event, especially seeing the likes of Liman Jubwis mosque, Kakuri, Hikimi, though represented, other traditional and Religious leaders, Politicians that attended and some that were represented, ” we had 23 recipients of the merit awards” he added

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