Economy: NGO cautions traditional, religious leaders on negative comments

Economy: NGO caution religious, traditional leaders against negative comments

NAN-H-43

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By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), March 15, 2017 (NAN) The Modibbo Haruna Buhari Charity Organisation (BCO), an NGO, has cautioned religious leaders and traditional rulers in the country against negative comments on current economic policies.

Mr Suleiman Modibbo-Masaka, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the organisation, gave the advice on Wednesday while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Modibbo-Masaka urged them to support and pray for the country’s economic recovery under President Muhammadu Buhari, who is working to improve the lives of Nigerians.

He enjoined religious leaders and traditional rulers to always preach peace and pray for improved economy rather than making negative comments that would create tension in the country.

According to him, adverse comments by some religious leaders and traditional rulers on the federal government economic policies are capable of fuelling more national crisis.

“Those traditional or religious leaders who form the habit of continuing attacking or condemning the federal government economic policies should desist in the interest of peace.;

“Because what they say some of their subjects and followers will agree with them, while others will disagree with them which may bring conflict in the society.

“Religious leaders and traditional rulers are the custodian of peace because it is their duty to continue to preach peace to their subjects and followers at all time in the interest of development.

“But in a situation whereby some religious and traditional rulers are seen making negative comments about the economy without weighing the implications of what they are saying is unacceptable and they need to change for the good of the nation.

“That is why, I am advising Nigerians, especially the religious leaders and traditional rulers in the name of God to stop making negative comments about the economy.

“They should always been seen advising the federal government on how to move the country’s economy forward considering the critical position they occupy in the society.

“We don’t want to mention the names of those religious leaders and traditional leaders here, but we are advising them to desist from coming out to condemn or attack the federal government economic policies.

“They should develop a channel on how to advise the federal government on ways forward if the need arises,’’ he said.

Modibbo-Masaka restated the commitment of the BCO to continue to educate and enlighten the people on the need to be their brothers’ keeper and be supportive to the government in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

He also appreciated Nigerians for their sustained prayers for the safe return of Buhari and urged them not to relent in their efforts towards praying for his good health to enable him deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens.

“I am calling on other Non-Governmental Organisations and Nigerians to collaborate with BCO in order to sensitise the people on the need to avoid inciting comments in the interest of peace and national development,” he said.

The chairman advised Nigerians, especially youths, to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, shun negative behaviours, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola