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Catholic bishop chides El-Rufai, others over anti-open grazing law comments

By Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
24 September 2021   |   4:08 am
The Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, Dr. Matthew Ndagoso, has lampooned Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and others over their utterances on the ban of open grazing ..

Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, Matthew Ndagoso

The Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, Dr. Matthew Ndagoso, has lampooned Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and others over their utterances on the ban of open grazing in southern states, urging political leaders to promote peace and unity.

Ndagoso, at an event marking the International Day of Peace organised by Zaman Tare Group in Kaduna State, pointed out that El-Rufai and Akeredolu should desist from actions and comments that could destabilise the country.

I think the utterances of our leaders are not helping matters, he said, adding that even the religious leaders that were supposed to be at the vanguard of peace were not helping matters.

The cleric remarked that the comments between El-Rufai and Akeredolu over the positions of the southern governors on anti-grazing law were unhelpful and might plunge the nation further into unpleasant situation. He added: “The confrontation between El-Rufai and the southern governors is not a good example for our people.”

According to the cleric, each of the governors, in their actions, is trying to protect the interest of his region over the issue of grazing in Nigeria, noting that such position may not serve the interest of the people in the country.

“People are just too parochial about their region or state and family. I think this has been the bane of development in our country. People only put the interest of their people and region on the front burner.

“If one region develops and the other is backward, that will not promote peace and unity. Look at what is happening in the north today; it is affecting every Nigerian. If you leave your brother behind, they will drag you back. Unless we move together, then it will be better for us,” he said.

Also speaking, the Dan Galadiman Zazzau and the District Head of Gabasawa, Alhaji Shittu Dikko reiterated the need for communal integration, as practicsd in the past, while the Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University (KASU), Prof. Muhammad Tanko, who was represented by the Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Professor Hauwa Yusuf, preached tolerance and peaceful coexistence as a panacea for Nigeria to attain its desired development.

Speaking on the essence of the programme, the Project Coordinator of Zaman Tare, Cletus Aloke, from the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, said the event was a grand finale of series of activities to use art to promote peace.

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