Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has sued for more collaboration among the different religious bodies in the state to sustain the peaceful coexistence already being enjoyed in the state.
Obaseki, speaking to newsmen, shortly after hosting religious rulers drawn from different parts of the state to a meeting at Government House on Saturday, said that more collaboration among religious bodies was necessary to drive and sustain economic development in the state.
According to the governor, “We cannot make any meaningful progress without peace and stability.
“So the starting point is to bring together different religious rulers to interact and talk to one another so that what bind them together is more than what separate them”, Obaseki said.
Speaking about the outcome of the meeting, the governor said that the religious bodies have agreed to form an inter-religious committee to see to the issues affecting Muslims and Christians and deal with them harmoniously.
He said that the meeting was also used to sensitive the bodies about the menace of street children in the state and his administration’s economic programmes.
He said that the state government collaboration with the religious bodies would help to address socio-economic issues in the state.
Also speaking to Newsmen, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Revered Gabriel Dunia said that the meeting was apt as it concerned the growth, development and security of the state and country in general.
He said that the religious bodies had agreed to come up with a forum that would set agenda for the overall development of the state.
Also, the Otaru of Auchi, (Ikelebe III) HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh commended the governor for the meeting and partnering religious bodies with his economic programmes.
He said that it was a good idea for religious leaders to dialogue, apply their skills and intellect for the betterment of the state and country in general.
