The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged governments at all levels to re-energise intelligence gathering to complement the laudable efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the nation.
At the meeting, the Council applauded the efforts of the federal government thus far, especially on alleviating poverty and food shortage in the country, urging it to further address the high cost of living occasioned by increased cost of food and energy.
The Council also expressed general feelings of members about the perceived disrespect to the leadership of the Ummah by certain authorities.
This was contained in a communiqué issued after its 9th expanded general purpose committee (EGPC) meeting held on Sunday in Abuja.
In the communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the body advised government and political leaders at all levels to continue to accord the traditional institutions and its holders the due respect that they deserve, especially where such is combined with Islamic leadership.
His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, presided over the meeting which had other prominent traditional rulers in the country.
The communiqué reads: “NSCIA is strongly advising government and political leaders at all levels to continue to accord the traditional institution and its holders the due respect that they deserve, especially where such is combined with Islamic leadership. This is in order to ensure the protection of our cultural and religious heritage for sustainable peace and national development.
“The Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, long before independence, unanimously resolved to entrust its leadership to an established Islamic institution that Muslims all over the country believe would always command the desired respect and attract the highest regards of reasonable all and sundry.
“It, therefore, behoves the custodians of such institution to also reciprocate by acting in a manner that shows, both in words and deed, respect for Islam, its institution and the feelings of the generality of the Ummah. Any iota of disrespect to the institution is a direct affront on the Faith and its adherents.
“Members of the EGPC reiterated their absolute confidence in the President General and Sultan of Sokoto for his exemplary leadership and committed service to Islam and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, and particularly applauded his bridge-building efforts across regional and religious divides for national peace and cohesion.
“The meeting referred to the General Purpose Committee (GPC), under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General, the synthesisation and articulation of the general feelings of members about the perceived disrespect to the leadership of the Ummah by certain authorities. The GPC was then mandated to act on the matter on behalf of the EGPC and the General Assembly.”
