Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday inaugurated a 22-member interfaith group, known as ‘House of Kaduna Family’, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House to find lasting peace in the state, especially in Southern Kaduna.

Members of the group comprise religious leaders as well as leaders of thought.

El-Rufai said diversity of faith should not be a reason for division and violent conflict across the state.

The governor stated, “The decision to gather leaders of faith in a joint endeavour for peace and harmony in our state reflects our belief that religion does not have to divide.

“The diversity of faith can be a vehicle for unity when adherents respect the right of every human being to life, liberty and livelihood as creatures of God.”

The governor called for the support of the leaders in ensuring that the conduct of people closely mirrored the message of peace and compassion in the major religions.

Saying that violent conflicts did not have to be the destiny of the state, the governor added, “No one can be wiser than the Almighty God who created everyone and the universe we inhabit, who decreed diversity in biology, race, gender, religion, geography, and much else.”

Panel on Kajuru crises submits report

Meanwhile, the Justice Isa Aliyu-led Commission of Inquiry into the incessant violent crises in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday, submitted its report.

Kajuru is located in Southern Kaduna.

El-Rufai had on March 2, 2019, announced the creation of the commission of inquiry when the governor visited the Karamai community in the Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement by El-Rufai’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, the governor, who received the report at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, pledged that the government “will promptly study the report and consider the recommendations of the inquiry.”

The statement recalled that El-Rufai announced the state government’s decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the matter, explaining that “building sustainable peace in the area requires that all the facts around the violent conflict be established.”