Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness, saying such attributes will engender peace and development.
The governor made the call in his goodwill message to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration.
Ortom said peace coexistence and cooperation between the government and the governed was component needed for any development or progress in any nation.
The Governor also canvassed for religious tolerance among different religious adherents.
For him, all religions preach peace and good neighbourliness and wondered why “some fanatics in the name of religion resort to violence or take laws into their hands to address certain situations that could be easily resolved without resorting to violence.”
He specifically, urged Christians to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice, perseverance, forgiveness and care for the less privileged which the Easter celebration symbolizes.
The Governor added that Nigeria would be a beautiful country and a better place “if we live in harmony with one another in an egalitarian society where every citizen is free to ply his or her legitimate trade in any part of the country without fear of molestation or intimidation and according to the dictates of the law.”
To achieve such a society, Ortom added that “obedience to the principle of the rule of law, equity, fairness and justice must be allowed to prevail.”
He counselled leaders at all levels to be guided by a sense of justice and fairness in managing the affairs of the country pointing out that “in most cases, agitations or disagreements or restiveness arises when people are denied or excluded in the scheme of things. We must therefore address these perceived injustices for our nation to begin to enjoy the harmony,” he stated.
Governor Ortom prayed that the joy of the season would permeate and be sustained in every part of the country even in the face of the daunting challenges the country is