According to Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, in order to celebrate the Yuletide in peace, locals and other stakeholders must oppose aspects of religious discord.
In celebration of Christians across the state and nation commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, the call was made yesterday in Maiduguri.
In a statement released in Maiduguri, Borno State, Zulum's spokesperson, Isa Gusau, included the politician's Christmas message. The message says, "It is important for us to keep in mind our past and the difficulties our state has faced since July 2009." Notwithstanding our religious beliefs, the security issues we encountered have an impact on us as citizens. Terrorists from Boko Haram killed Muslims and Christians at different periods during attacks on dozens of mosques, churches, and local communities.
Additionally, they have made a large number of our brethren homeless in the state's central, southern, and northern regions. In my capacity as governor, I have frequently visited multiple towns in the state's south, north, and center for humanitarian relief and reconstruction. These communities belong to all different religion traditions.
Zulum claimed that the terrorists' attacks were agnostic to religion, emphasizing that any people who did not adhere to the Boko Haram doctrine were targets, regardless of their religious affiliation.
"I have paid countless visits to communities in Chibok, Askira-Uba, Hawul, Biu, Gwoza, Monguno, Baga, and Kala-Balge, to mention but a few," he remarked in response to the ceaseless onslaught. As the state's Chief Security Officer (CSO), I have always prioritized critical humanitarian needs over religious beliefs.
"We have put a lot of effort into rebuilding and resettling more than a dozen communities, taking into account the interests of the 27 local councils in the state that are most affected fairly."
The governor bemoaned the fact that not many people these days were attempting to subvert fundamental principles and the state's tolerance for all religions.
He clarified that a small percentage of the population seemed to be oblivious to the reality that many families in the state, especially in Borno South, consisted of Christians and Muslims who shared the same parents and coexisted peacefully.
Nine local councils—Damboa, Gwoza, Bayo, Kwaya/Kusar, Hawul, Chibok, Shani, Biu, and Askira/Uba—make up the district, in his estimation."We have tried to resist the aggressors, who wanted to tear us along religious lines," he added, adding that the elements of religious disharmony had forgotten the "terrible experiences" of the state's 14-year insurgency.
The governor gave his word that the state is headed toward economic recovery and sectoral development. As a result, he promised to be focused and impartial while keeping in mind the pressing humanitarian needs of the residents of the impacted communities.