Prominent political, traditional and religious leaders have called on wealthy individuals to give back to their communities and invest in initiatives that promote peace, unity and human development.
The call was made during the commissioning of a palace, mosque and other community projects initiated by the Managing Director of AA Ashangwa Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Adamu Bawa Maku, in Ashangwa community, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The event, held on Friday, attracted prominent personalities, including the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Muhammed Agah Muluku; the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau; and the Emir of Lafia, Rtd. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammed.
Others included the Aren Eggon, Rtd. Justice Ahmed Ubangari Alaku; Senator Haliru Envulanza, representing Nasarawa North; Alhaji Yusuf Agabi; the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); his counterpart in the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI); and the Chief Imam of Lafia Central Mosque, Malam Dalhatu Dahiru.
Also present was Malam Nazir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, son of the late renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who led the first Juma’at prayer at the newly constructed mosque.
The projects commissioned by Maku included a mosque and palace, while he also constructed a church in the community and provided separate parcels of land for Muslim and Christian burial grounds.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and chairman of the occasion, Dr. Danladi Jatau, commended Maku for his community development initiatives.
Jatau said the projects would contribute to peace and unity in Ashangwa and Nasarawa State, particularly because of the provision made for both Muslims and Christians.
He also commended the Emir of Lafia for his efforts toward promoting peace and peaceful coexistence in the state.
The Emir of Lafia, Rtd. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammed, urged other successful individuals to emulate Maku by investing in the development of their communities.
He said such interventions could complement government efforts and contribute to peace-building and development.
Representing Governor Abdullahi Sule, Commissioner for Water Resources Muhammed Agah Muluku also praised Maku’s humanitarian and community development efforts.
He called on other wealthy individuals in the state to support government efforts by contributing to the development of their communities and society at large.
The call was echoed by Malam Nazir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who commended Maku for the projects and encouraged other well-to-do members of society to emulate his example.
The commissioning ceremony also featured the wedding Fatiha of four of Maku’s daughters.
The couples were Farida and Abdullahi, Basira and Abubakar, Aisha and Jafaru, and Hafsat and Abdullahi.
Speaking after the events, Maku said his decision to build worship centres for both Muslims and Christians, as well as provide burial grounds for the two faiths, was aimed at promoting harmonious coexistence in the community.
He urged residents to continue to support one another and live as brothers and sisters irrespective of religious differences.