Stop using herders to cause disunity – John Onaiyekan

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has advised against using the recent clashes between herdsmen and farmers to cause disunity in the country.

Speaking at the commissioning of a N300 million skills acquisition and humanitarian centre in Abuja, Onaiyekan urged those fanning the embers of discord and hatred among the people to desist for the good of the nation.

The centre was initiated by Rev. Dr Willy Ojukwu, the parish priest of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Gwarinpa.

The Cardinal who noted that unity and peace had kept the country united for many years, said he believed that nothing will destroy that  unity, but that “There is terrible wind blowing around our country right now. There are so many people who are fanning the flames of discord and hatred and it is becoming very difficult to preach unity and natural love and there are those who are already envisaging a clash between Christians and Muslims”.
“Concerning the Fulani herdsmen, everybody knows what government should do because one of the primary duties of government is to ensure security of lives and property of all Nigerians. Which means where you have any group of people whether they are Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers or armed robbers, government should device ways to effectively check them.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, said government should do more for the less privileged and that Islam would never encourage violence, insurgency or killing.

He urged the youths to shun violence and stick to the teachings of both faiths.