Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and his Abia counterpart, Gov. Alex Otti, have called for religious tolerance between the Muslim and Christian faithful in the country as the Muslim Community worldwide celebrates this year’s Eid-el Kabir.
Uzodimma said: “love, unity, peace, growth, development and more, will be guaranteed in the country, if members of the Muslim and Christian community decide to cohabit, not just in Imo but elsewhere in Nigeria.”
He spoke when he played host to the Muslim leaders in Imo at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Owerri on Sunday.
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He congratulated the Muslim faithful for successfully completing their fasting and the privilege of being alive to witness the 2024 Festival of Sacrifice (Eid-el Kabir).
The governor urged the faithful to “wear tolerance like a cloth.
“Your faiths are simply means of getting to your destination, which is God.We cannot grow in an atmosphere of rancour, hatred, killing, blood-letting, armed robbery and other vices, which both the Koran and Bible condemn.
“Tolerance is the name of the business, and with it, inclusive growth and development will be achieved,” he said.
Addressing some Christian faithful, who joined in the celebration, Uzodimma thanked them for the showing solidarity to their Muslim brothers and sisters at the “common communion”.
He said: “If you can eat together, it means you can live together, work together and even protect your environment together. It is now time we interrogated our consciences and do those things that please God,” he further said.
The governor used the occasion to congratulate fathers in the state on the occasion of this year’s International Father’s Day celebration.
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Earlier, the leadership of the Muslim Community in the state, Alhaji Bashir Uwakwe, assured the governor that they would remain united in all their endeavours.
In a related development, the Abia governor called on residents of the state to imbibe the spirit of the Eid-el Kabir by being their brothers’ keepers.
He made the call in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kazie Uko, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday.
He was quoted to have said that the celebration “also promotes love and understanding among individuals, regardless of their diverse cultures, backgrounds and beliefs”.
