The Kaduna state government has reacted to reports that Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, on Sunday rejected an award by the Kaduna North local government chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Director General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki told DailyPost Monday morning that the reports were “a distortion of what actually transpired”.
He urged media houses to be fair in their reportage to avoid causing unnecessary conflict among those in governance and the people.
Asked to react to veracity of the report, Maiyaki said his principal only sought to know why he was shortlisted for the honour.
“What happened was that Governor Yero was only invited to grace the award ceremony. The organisers did not inform him that he would get an award; it was more of a surprise package,” he said.
“When his name was called as a recipient, he told the gathering that he only accepts awards that has underlining reason or reasons. So, he did not reject.
“After his comment, CAN explained that it appreciates Governor Yero’s commitment towards the peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the state since he took the mantle of leadership.”
The spokesman added that the governor is a humble man who welcomes every recognition involving him or the state as long as genuine reasons are given for such.
In his remarks at the event held in Kaduna, Yero frowned at religious conflict, which he said was unjustifiable misrepresentation of teachings contained in the Holy Bible and Holy Quran. His words: “All I want to say is, there is need for us to work hard for peace. But I am happy because I saw you (the organisers) honouring Muslims here which shows there is unity and understanding.
“We must do away with those who have only sweet talks, they will want to divide our society for their interests and the fact is, after they get what they want, they will still face problem of re-uniting same society they divided.
“There is no need to be fighting on religious and ethnic lines, religious leaders must work hard and ensure that we overcome all these challenges. This is my own take, we will all agree that we are serving God and so there is no reason for all these unrest.”
In his address, chairman of the occasion and immediate past chairman of CAN in the state, Rev. Samuel Kujiyat, said there was need for peaceful co-existence “because it is the bedrock of development.”
Apart from the Governor, others recipients include the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, Senator Mohammed Sani Saleh, Rev. Joseph Hayab, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed Giant, Commissioner of Local Affairs and others.
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