24th December, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, southwest Nigeria, has urged Christians and Muslim faithful to live in unity and love at all times and eschew all forms of intolerance and violence.
The governor described as “a divine message of love, unity and religious tolerance,” the fact that this year’s celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad almost coincided with that of the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a goodwill message to celebrate this year’s Maulud Nabiyyi and Christmas which was signed by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Amosun on Media, Adejuwon Soyinka, the governor said “as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 and the Muslims mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on December 24, this year being the 12th day of Rabiul Awwal, I believe that the divine message heaven is sending to us in Nigeria is that of unity and tolerance.
“In this season of double celebration, I urge Nigerians to reflect on the lives of these two great religious personages we are celebrating and emulate their lifestyle and teachings.”
The governor, who said there is hardly any family among the Yoruba people without a fine mix of both Christians and Muslims, urged adherents of the two faiths to seize this occasion to promote unity, peace and understanding.