BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
The Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria,(CAMPAN) Kaduna and Muslim Journalists on Friday observed the breaking of the Lenten and Ramadan fasts in Kaduna.
The event attracted the Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man- Oso Ndagoso, Chief Imam Of Uduwa who is also the Morshi of Jamatu Nasir Islam,Pastor Yohanna Buru, NUJ Kaduna Chairman, among others.
Speaking at the event, Archbishop Ndagoso, commended the initiative, the assemblage of media practitioners from the major faiths for break fast of the Ramadan and lent and prayed it should be nurtured.
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He said there’s a coincidence in the two religious fasts this year, as the two began days apart, maintaining that it is only when we meet, share and interact as journalists that we properly carry our role of putting the country together, as key stakeholders in the state and country.
Ndagoso further hinted on the Pope’s message as so special that ” it offers us the privilege to draw closer to God, for solidarity, it offers us opportunity to work side by side, adding that our World is in need of fraternity and dialogue ” he said.
Speaking further he said God has a message for both faiths, via our fasts as our world surely is in need of fraternity and dialogue, as that’s what we are doing here as Muslim and Christian journalists and urged others to emulate.
He also prayed that God will give Journalists and media practitioners the power of the pen to bring the country together instead of division ” he stressed.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Udawa mosque, Iman Ilyasu Hussain, applauded the initiative of bringing Christians and Muslims journalists in Kaduna annually to break fast, and prayed it’s sustained for the the wellbeing of our state and country.
According to him, he has benefited and enjoyed very closed relationships with Christian leaders and colleagues more in the past which had helped him be where he is now in life today, while emphasizing and advocating greater ties among Christian and Muslim faithful to achieve true peace .
In the same vein, Pastor.Yohanna Buru, thanked the Archbishop for the initiative, put together for the Muslim and Christian Media practitioners, describing him as a unifier, one he has known for over a decade in the service of peace in the state and prayed that God will continue to use him to keep the Archdiocese, state and country together.
On his part, Kaduna NUJ Chairman, Mr Abdulgafar Allelebe lauded the event and thanked the Archbishop for giving his media colleagues the platform to have this kind of gathering, and emphasized the need for its sustenance.
He however lamented our past history of religious conflicts in the state, caused by enemies of peace, but assured that, all that is now in the past as many have now learned from the past.
Also, the Chairman of Muslim Journalists League, Mallam Jafaru Yakubu appreciated the invitation by CAMPAN to Muslim Journalists to break fast together, adding that as journalists we have different faiths or beliefs, but work together for peace and stability in our state and country, through professionalism in our reportage.
He called for synergy amongst. Journalists and media practitioners, while emphasizing the need for respect for both religions, and prayed the program is enhanced annually.
Earlier, the Chairman CAMPAN, Kaduna Archdiocese, Mr Nicholas Dekera, said the program of breaking of fast annually was conceptualized to strengthen the bond of cooperation and unity between media practitioners of the two major religions.
Leaning his voice, veteran journalist, elder Tajuddeen Ajibade Tijjani, noted that by this initiative, we have now found a way out of our challenges to peace, if sustained, adding that, if we are peaceful as people of faith, our state and country will also be peaceful.