Osinbajo: Buhari ‘Taunts’ Me About Escaping From Church On Sundays

By Editor

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has enjoined Nigerian Muslims to emulate the religious tolerance of President Muhammadu Buhari who he said regularly taunts him about escaping from church on Sundays.

In an address at the opening ceremony of the general assembly of the Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs on Friday, Osinbajo also espoused the tolerance of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saadu Abubakar who he said has been building bridges across faiths and groups.

The vice-president also singled out the sacrificial testimony of Imam Abubakar, the Islamic cleric who shielded more than 280 Christians from harms way when they were attacked by Muslims on the plateau.

He said:

“Every Sunday, my family and over 100 Christians attend service in the Chapel at the Villa. The Chapel is located in the premises of the President and his family. It is located a few seconds away from the First Lady’s kitchen.

“Sometimes when I see the President on a Sunday morning, he asks me whether the service is over already or I am escaping from the service! That is the sort of tolerance that we need in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society and it is the duty of leaders to show that sort of example.”

Noting the bridge building efforts of the Sultan, he said:

“I have observed for many years the words and actions of his Royal Highness, the Sultan of Sokoto, how he has sought to build bridges with other faiths, locally and internationally, this is as it should be. “The challenge of nation-building is not the noise of the religious bigots and nihilists, it is the silence and inaction of leaders of different faiths who know better, those who say and do nothing, and to whom we appeal today. Your words and actions may make the difference between peace and tragedy.”

Also praising the heroic efforts of Imam Abubakar, he said:

“Imam Abdullahi not only refused to give up the Christians he had given refuge; he even offered his life in exchange for theirs.  His moral courage is rooted in a profound recognition of our common humanity. His compassion, empathy and selflessness are an example to us as people of faith.”

On her part, Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari said that the meeting was auspicious and timely.

She said that the meeting was critical and compelling  as topical issues would be addressed.

“The NSCIA in accordance with its mandate has over the years contributed significantly to peace, security, peace and socioeconomic and political development of this great country, Nigeria.

“Indeed, there is no other time than now when we need the decisions, policies and programmes of the council to be translated in practice by all Muslims in the country.

Sultan Abubakar on his part said that Islam was a religion of peace.

He said that Nigeria, like any other nation, was facing challenges which would be surmounted if people across faith and ethnicity joined hands.

Abubakar said that leaders should remember that leadership was all about service and not an opportunity to display pride and arrogance or boss people around.

The Sultan said that the education of children be taken seriously especially the girl-child.

“We are working hard; we are having a lot of joint programmes with the Supreme Council and the first lady’s office and very soon, you will see programmes that will be beneficial to the common people especially the women.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Prof. Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary, NSCIA, said the meeting was the highest decision making forum of the council.

He said the resolutions would be for the general good of Islam and the nation in general.

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