By Audu Iliya

The Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Chief John Michael Abdul has enjoined religious leaders to seek and acquire adequate knowledge of the religion they professed, as a basis for them to effectively practice it.

Chief Abdul who was represented by the former chairman of Akwanga-west Development Area, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed stated this in Akwanga, Nasarawa state at the N9 million appeal fund launching for the purchase of a land and bus for a school run by the Jama’atul Izalatul Bidah Walkamatu Sunnah, Akwanga branch recently.

The deputy governor called on the people of Nasarawa state to be firm on their religious pursuits and urged them to kick against religious bigotry which could disunite them.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Oriye Rindre Wamba, Alhaji Lawal M. Nagogo who is the president traditional council of chiefs in Wamba local Government Area, urged the people of Nasarawa state, especially politicians to unite and work for the development of the state notwithstanding their political differences.

Alhaji Nagogo further urged the religious leaders to be objective in their works and to enlighten the people on the teachings of their various religions.

He then charged the leaders of Jama’atul Izalatul Bidah Walkamatu Sunnah, Akwanga branch to use the funds realized at the launch judiciously.

In his remarks, the former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Mr. Laraban Maku who was special guest at the occasion, maintained that Christians and Muslims should remain brothers and sisters since according to him, they all worship one God.

Mr. Maku also urged parents and religious leaders to always inculcate sound moral values in the young ones, pointing out that "the fear of God is the beginning of education".

Earlier, the head of the Islamic school, Malam Isa Abubakar who is also the chief Imam of the Juma’at mosque in Akwanga recalled that the school was established in 1997 with 20 students and three classes.

He said presently the school needed a permanent land and a bus to assist the students. He therefore called on the public to come to the aid of the institution.