Forgiveness Day: Sultan Calls For Dialogue To Resolve Conflicts

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III says dialogue is the best tool to end conflicts in communities across Nigeria.

He stated this at the celebration of the Plateau Day and the Forgiveness Day on Tuesday at Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

Plateau State has celebrated the day on February 7 since 2018.

The sultan stressed that “continuous dialogue is necessary for peaceful coexistence.

“It fosters mutual understanding and respect resulting in forgiveness of past wrongs.

“Dialogue is the best option in whatever crisis we find ourselves.

"To understand one another is better than to tolerate one another,” he said.

He said that forgiveness would be required for healing line with religious teachings, urging the residents of Plateau to be patient with one another.

He commended the state governor, Simon Lalong for initiating the day and described him as a peace builder who has initiated inclusive programmes to ensure a sense of belonging for in the state.

He also urged the political leaders to engage traditional institutions as partners in peace building processes in the state, saying that they had platforms of reaching communities.

The religious leader called on politicians to carry out their campaign activities in a respectable manner, devoid of insulting their opponents.

Speaking at the event, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, thanked Lalong for his peace initiatives, saying that the state is similar to Plateau as a miniature Nigeria “which requires peaceful coexistence as it host people of different ethnic religious groups.

In his remarks, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, the Gbong Gwom Jos, said that administration of justice “is critical for sustenance of peace”.

Gyang appealed to political, traditional and religious leaders to desist from causing tension in the society by hate speeches.