…Commends the Governor for his Unifying Voice Amid Divisions in the North
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory has urged Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, to spearhead the creation of a practical and sustainable peace framework that will unite the region grappling with mistrust, hate, and deepening divisions.
The call was made on Thursday in Gombe during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Northern CAN leadership, led by its chairman, Rev. Dr. Joseph John Hayab. He said Northern Nigeria is on edge and in urgent need of deliberate and coordinated efforts to heal old wounds and restore trust among its diverse people.
He said, “Northern Nigeria needs healing, and we strongly believe that under your chairmanship, the northern governors forum can initiate a practical and sustainable framework that brings together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth influencers, and public officials to deliberate regularly on how to foster unity and peaceful coexistence in our region”.
He commended Governor Yahaya’s governance style, describing him as a rare unifying voice in a period marked by suspicion and stereotypes. “Your leadership in Gombe, which carries along all communities regardless of religion or ethnicity, is an example the North desperately needs,” he added.
Hayab also appreciated the Governor’s swift intervention in a recent tragic incident affecting Christians in the state, noting it as proof of compassion and moral courage in leadership. He equally lauded Gombe’s rapid infrastructural and social development, citing mega schools, upgraded health facilities, and road networks as transformative projects opening opportunities for ordinary citizens in the state.
In his remarks, Governor Yahaya thanked the association for its confidence, stressing that his administration remains committed to promoting harmony. “In the eyes of God, we are one. There is no reason for hatred, no justification for division,” he said, urging faith leaders to be ambassadors of peace across the North.
He thanked the religious group for selecting Gombe as host of the youth wing NEC meeting, describing it as a proof to the peaceful and hospitable environment the state is known for. He said, “in Gombe, we believe in the unity of our people, regardless of religious, ethnic or cultural differences”.
“Your visit is encouraging, and I urge other states to emulate Gombe in promoting peace and harmony. You, as faith leaders, can become ambassadors of peace, spreading the gospel of unity across Nigeria,” the governor stated as he further called on the people of the North to draw inspiration from the legacies of late Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello, who championed the cause of unity and peaceful coexistence in the region.
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