By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh.
The Governor of Kogi State,Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence among all communities in the state.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance on Sunday while addressing participants at a one-day Peace Conference organised by the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative in Okene.
The conference, themed “Essence of Peace and Unity Among the Muslim Ummah,” was held at the Ohinoyi’s Palace in Okene Local Government Area.
Our correspondent reports that the event drew Islamic scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders from across Kogi State to deliberate on peaceful coexistence and the collective responsibility of citizens in sustaining societal harmony.
Commending the organisers for providing a platform that promotes unity within the Muslim Ummah and tolerance across ethnic and religious lines, the governor stressed that sustainable development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of hatred and division.
He noted that Kogi State has continued to earn recognition as a model of peaceful coexistence due to the combined efforts of its people and the government’s proactive peace-building strategies.
“No society grows in an environment of hatred and division. Peace is the foundation upon which prosperity is built, and unity is the bond that keeps us together as one people,” Ododo said.
The governor further underscored the importance of collaboration between government and religious leaders in achieving lasting peace, noting that security goes beyond the use of force and requires deliberate engagement and relationship-building.
“Our major responsibility is to provide security for our people, and in doing so, we must ensure unity across the land. One of the ways of guaranteeing peace and unity is by deploying non-kinetic methods of conflict resolution,” he explained.
He added, “Today, we have come to engage our people and Islamic leaders constructively on the need to give peace a chance, so that our state, our land, and our people can enjoy stability and sleep with their two eyes closed.”
Governor Ododo disclosed that he had recently met with Islamic scholars in Ebiraland and across the Kogi Central Senatorial District, adding that similar engagements would soon be extended to Kogi West and East, as well as Christian and traditional religious leaders.
“To ensure peace, you must engage all critical stakeholders. Chief Imams, Sheikhs, and Ustaz are leaders the people trust in Islam, and we must work closely with them. We are happy that everyone is ready to give peace a chance in Kogi State,” he said.
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative Committee, Ustaz Ismail Obosi Suleiman, emphasised the need for unity among various Islamic sects in Ebiraland, noting that while differences in opinion are natural, hostility is a choice, citing Qur’an 3:103: “Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.”
Suleiman called for sustained inter-sect dialogue, a focus on shared values, and resistance to political manipulation capable of deepening divisions. He urged religious leaders to lead by example through respectful engagement and the promotion of authentic Islamic teachings to dispel misconceptions among followers.
He reaffirmed that peace remains the bedrock of development in Ebiraland and appealed to all groups to work collectively towards sustaining unity.
The one-day Peace Conference ended with a renewed commitment by Islamic scholars, government officials, and community stakeholders to deepen peaceful coexistence and ensure that Kogi State continues to thrive as a united and harmonious society.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event include the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, and the Provost of the National Defence College, Professor Adam Okene Ahmed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
