President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to emulate Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who was honoured with the International Religious Freedom Award by the U.S. Department of State.
Buhari gave the charge on Thursday in a statement issued to congratulate Abdullahi over the award which was based on his exemplary action.
Abdullahi was reported to have, despite difference in religions, saved Christians from the attacks of bandits at the risk of his life and those of his family members.
The president described the award given to him as well-deserved.
The president said he believed the recognition bestowed on the 83-year old Muslim cleric was towering and befitting for the patriot “who risked his own life and that of his family on June 23, 2018 to save the lives of hundreds of Christians, fleeing from attacks by suspected bandits in Yelwan Gidin Akwati, Swei and Nghar villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.”
He stated that like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said, on May 30, 2019 at the State House, Abuja, when he received the Imam, the Village Head, Damafulul Mangai, community leaders and a delegation from the US, UK and European Union, the cleric ‘‘has done so much to promote peace by his singular act than most politicians could do and deserve all the commendation and high honour.’’
Buhari said it was commendable that a Nigerian national had written his name in gold in the international arena and his deeds.
He said his deeds would resonate wherever and whenever there were discussions on religious tolerance, cordiality between Christians and Muslims in the country and around the world.
The president recommended the sterling virtues of Imam Abdullahi to all clerics, in particular, and Nigerians in general, to emulate.
He also strongly affirmed the commitment of his administration to freedom of religion and worship for all Nigerians, as guaranteed by the Constitution, stressing that under no circumstance would any religion or faith be imposed on the nation.
