Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has stated that the menace of banditry, terrorism, ethnic violence, separatist’s agenda, inter/intra ethnic conflicts and other forms of criminalities threatening the corporate existence of the country can only be resolved through sincere dialogue.
He said this while declaring open ‘Northwest Zone Citizens’ Summit for National Integration, Peace And Security’ organised by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, yesterday.
The governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, argued that Nigeria has come a long way for any person or a group to think that they can easily break away, adding that: “We had lived, interact and inter marriage for decades that hardly any section of this country can live without another.
“Our courageous collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on,” the governor stated.
He said his penchant for national integration and cohesion which is guided by constitutional provisions, informed his desire to give right to all residents living in the state to be identified as indigenes devoid of any discrimination.
“Happenings in countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Rwanda are enough examples for us to embrace one another and live as one family.
“No matter the magnitude of our problems, it is only wise and civil to be resolved through dialogue, respect and understanding,” Governor Ganduje advised.
He continued: “For us in Kano, we have tried to be accommodative; this can be traced from the period of Trans Saharan Trade. “You find within the city of Kano, many areas serve as settlement centres of people who originally migrated from other places outside the state.
”He explained that the accommodative nature of the people of the state, coupled with the deliberate policy of his administration to carry on board other ethnic nationalities residing in the state are some of the key reasons they continue to enjoy peace in the state.
“I can confidently say Alhamdulillah, Kano State is the most peaceful and safest place to live within the seven states in the zone.
“We shall continue to do more to ensure that people sleep not only with their two eyes closed but with a loudest snoring.”
