Separate religion from politics – Ahmed

The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged religious leaders in the country to separate religion and preaching from partisanship in order to sustain the peace and unity of the country.
The governor, who also called on religious bodies to intensify their philanthropic efforts to lift the poor out of despondency, poverty and disposition to crime in order to check the spate of economic-related crises in the country, made the call over the weekend at the National Conference of Nasrul-lahil-fath Society of Nigeria in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Such philanthropic gestures, according to Ahmed, are boundless kindness that could enhance the well being of humanity.
He said: “Kindness is all encompassing. No matter our station in life, we are all capable of and should show kindness to all that we encounter.”
Dr. Ahmed described religion as a personal thing that should be practised as such, with respect for the rights of others to practice their faith and hold contrary opinions.
Governor Ahmed added that his administration was pursuing programmes and policies that could enhance infrastructural and human capital development in the state.
He added: “In the coming year, we intend to implement several interventions to get a greater number of youths into work, boost infrastructure and stimulate greater commercial activities. Our planned infrastructure development programme will expand the supply of paved roads, piped water, electricity, schools and hospitals to all parts of the state.”
In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad, said it was important that all Nigerians of different persuasions tolerate one another, adding that Islam was against deliberate killing of innocent souls.