Obasa said this when he spoke at a service marking the 100th anniversary of the St. Peter’s African Church, Remo Iperu, Ogun State.

The Speaker noted that Nigeria currently required intellectual contributions from religious leaders for a desired change in the country’s polity and as a guide to the future generation.

“I therefore urge our Christian leaders not to relent in their efforts to cater for the spiritual needs of the Christian fold under their care and also use various platforms to encourage our people to support our various initiatives as government, that will make life easier for everybody,” Obasa said.

Obasa, who recently ended his tenure as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, noted that Christianity, like every other religion, provided the enabling platform for the people’s spiritual edification and social needs as members of the society.

He further noted the role of Christianity as a unifier of people and motivation irrespective of their race, culture, and education.

“You will all agree with me that religion generally serves as a veritable tool for social integration and harmonious co-existence in the society, and remains one of the cords of unity that knit us together, especially in a multi religious society like ours in Nigeria.

“As such, in maintaining peace and social order, such basic principles and religious virtues as enunciated in the Holy Books must be imbued and placed into practical demonstrations.

“As we constantly show harmony and unity of intent in our service and dedication to our creator in our different places of adoration, I encourage you all to emulate the unity we frequently exhibit in the larger society in our place of worship,” Obasa urged.

The Speaker congratulated the church for reaching 100 years of service to God and humanity, saying that was  evident in what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock I will build my church; (and this is the best part) and the gates of hell will not overpower it.”

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This is as he called on the governments of Benue and Taraba states to exercise restraint following the gruesome killing of Rev. Fr. David Tanko at Kpankufu Village on Wukari Road in Taraba.

According to the president, “the murder of the Catholic Priest highlights the urgency of addressing this embarrassing and persistent conflict.”

Describing such frenzy of human destruction, violent attacks on people and property in the communities by the warring parties as unacceptable, the president said the Federal Government would not sit idly and watch the deep-seated antagonistic relationship between the Tiv and Jukun people fester.

The president said: ”I have watched with trepidation and disbelief how hate and bigotry have inhabited the human soul, resulting in brothers killing brothers.

”On behalf of the Federal government and the entire people of the country, I offer my condolences to the Catholic community, the government and people of Taraba over the losses arising from recent incidents involving the warring communities.

“The persistent deaths and destruction and the seeming desire by the warring sides to push each other to extinction is embarrassing, and this is against the essence of our ethnic and religious diversity in the country.

“Progress is impossible where violence and destruction are allowed to dominate our daily lives.”

Acknowledging that the Tiv/Jukun violence was one of Nigeria’s most persistent and intractable security problems, President Buhari assured the affected communities that the federal government would not leave them to their fate or treat cases of communal violence with levity and indifference.

“The deployment of security men can only provide a temporary solution.

”The long term and lasting solution to this deep-seated antagonistic relationship between the warring factions depend on the willingness of those involved to listen to reason and give peace a chance.

“It is time for leaders of the ethnic groups to come together and draw up a roadmap for lasting peace. The impact of this persistent violence on the social and economic life of the people is incalculable,” the President said.

To this end, a high level intervention from the Federal level made up religious, community leaders and top security operatives is being put together by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to examine all issues underlying the conflicts in the hope of finding a permanent solution.

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