Borno Christians, Muslims wow Zulum with harmony

Catholic priest suspects sabotage in missing NAF jet
The peaceful coexistence among Christians and Muslims in Borno State has dazzled Governor Babagana Zulum, despite terrorism ravaging the North East.

Zulum expressly appreciated the adherents of the two faiths at the weekend in Maiduguri while marking the Easter celebration in the state.

“I’m proud of Christians and Muslims for maintaining peaceful coexistence in all the 27 Local Councils,” he said, noting that this was despite the tough situation since 2009, which started claiming more lives and property.

While reflecting on Easter, he said: “Easter season calls for deep and shared reflection on our lives in general. It should remind us of not just the challenges we continually face since 2009, but be grateful for some of the accomplishments we have made together as citizens.”

According to him, the Christian and Muslim communities, as well as other stakeholders, have equal stakes to contribute in the Borno project.

The accomplishment recorded in the state was the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in all the local councils.

MEANWHILE, two Catholic priests of the Abuja Archdiocese, Charles Onyenke and Johnson Igoh, have advised against despair, fear and lack of hope over the negative activities of terrorists in the country.

While urging Nigerians to have confidence in the Nigerian military to deal with insecurity, Igoh suspected sabotage in the recent downing of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets in Borno.

The reverend fathers made their stand known in their separate homilies at the Easter vigil Mass on Saturday night and the Easter Sunday Mass at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

They said if actually Boko Haram shot the jet down, there must be compromise by the military and called for serious investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash.

Igoh said: “Though our soldiers are overwhelmed; it cannot be possible that the insurgents have the capability of downing a sophisticated fighter jet like that, unless there is a compromise. That is why I want a serious investigation over circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.

“Boko Haram terrorists will not succeed in their scheme. They will not have the last say.”

God will make them to fall asleep like the Roman soldiers that were assigned to keep Jesus Christ permanently in the tomb, so that God’s will be done in our country.”

Onyenke described the Easter vigil as a night of Nigeria’s liberation, restoration and reconciliation.