By Bala Umaru
The former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sir (Dr.) Mike Okiro has called on Nigerians to embrace unity and put aside their religious differences to ensure national cohesion and a peaceful country.
Sir Okiro made the call on Thursday in Minna, Niger State while commissioning a Juma’at Mosque renovated by the Sir Mike Okiro Foundation at the Police Secondary School (PSS). The project provides a modern place of worship for Muslim students and staff members.
He said that the building of worship centres all over the country is a deliberate attempt as the only way to defeat hatred and alienation.
Sir Okiro stated that as a Christian, this is an indication that we must refuse to let sins of a few define our relationship with our neighbours.
According to him, all citizens serve one God irrespective of faith and faith should be demonstrated through acts of love, peace and service to humanity.
The former IGP further said that the Mosque symbolised religious tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, adding that no student should feel excluded because of his or her religious belief.
He urged Nigerians to learn from the country’s past heroes by treating one another as brothers and sisters irrespective of religious affiliation.
“My faith teaches me to love my neighbours, to show kindness to the strangers, my hobby is to seek peace with all manner of people as peace is the only option in every endeavours.
“It was in recognition of this that I completed and commissioned Devine Mercy Catholic Church at the secondary school in Minna as a birthday gift last year. Today when I saw that our sisters and brothers in this school have no decent place to pray, I decided to renovate the Mosque.
“Let today be remembered not for what separates us, but for what unites us. May this Mosque stand as a sign that in Nigeria, Niger is where peace is stronger than hatred. That a Christian’s hand can build a Muslim’s place of prayer to enable next generation to choose coexistence over conflict.
“I appreciated the Northern Youths and Elders Awareness Forum for making me their patron which encourages me to stand for unity of Nigeria and sustenance of religious tolerance”.
Sir Okiro concluded with a quote from the Holly Quran, “Who builds a Mosque for me in the world, I will build him a paradise in the next world”.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adamu Ilemo who also represented the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described former IGP as a humble and kind administrator of excellence and indeed a father to them.
Ilemo while recalling years back working under Chief Mike Okiro in Lagos State, said despite the magnitude of insecurity in Lagos, criminals had no breathing space. He added that “he was a fantastic person when I worked closely with him as the head of EFCC in Abuja. And we are proud to be associated with him”.
Also speaking, the Emir of Kagara, His Royal Highness, Malam Ahmed Garba Gunna Attahiru II, commended Sir Okiro for promoting peace and unity through the project.
The Emir said that the country was facing serious security challenges and needed more leaders who would foster understanding among citizens.
“For him to think of renovating a Friday Mosque shows he is a good leader. What he is doing demonstrates the synergy that should exist between the Police and the people”, he stated.
At the occasion, Sir Mike Okiro was conferred with a traditional tittle of Sarkin Haske of Niger State by the Emir of Kagara who represented the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji. (Dr.) Umar Faruq Bahago (CON).
Attahiru stated that the traditional title was in recognition of Chief Okiro’s contributions to humanity and national unity.
