…Reiterates call for peace, unity, continued tolerance
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has urged residents of the state to continue to promote peace, love, tolerance and harmonious coexistence, stressing that no meaningful development can be achieved in the absence of peace.
The governor made the call on Thursday when members of the Christian community in the state paid him a Christmas homage at the Government House, Gombe, as part of activities marking the 2025 Christmas celebration.
Governor Yahaya congratulated Christians in the state and across the country on the celebration of Christmas, describing the season as one that reinforces the values of love, sacrifice, unity and peaceful coexistence.
He emphasized that Gombe State has no place for division along religious or ethnic lines, warning against the antics of individuals or groups bent on destabilising the state and the country.
“I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters on the celebration of Christmas. Peace is the foundation of any meaningful development, and we must not allow those who want to destroy our state and country to set us apart along religious lines. We have no other place than Nigeria. No country will come and provide peace for us; we must create and sustain it ourselves,” the governor said.
The governor further stressed that peace remains the foundation upon which development and progress are built, adding that societies engulfed in crisis often struggle not only with development but even with the freedom to practice their religion.
He cited examples of countries ravaged by conflicts where people are denied basic rights, including religious worship, to underscore the importance of sustaining peace at all costs.
“If you look at countries in crisis, they can hardly practice their religion, let alone enjoy development and progress. For us in Gombe, I want to assure you that my administration will continue to promote peace and harmony, and I urge the Christian community to continue to support these efforts and embrace tolerance for the growth of Gombe State,” he added.
The governor therefore called for renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence, urging religious leaders and followers alike to continue preaching tolerance and unity for the overall development of Gombe State.
In his remarks, the Gombe State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Alphonsus Shinga, commended Governor Yahaya for his inclusive leadership style, which he said has placed Gombe State on a steady path of development anchored on peace, harmony and mutual understanding among its diverse communities.
Rev. Shinga noted that the core message of Christmas is peace, love and reconciliation, adding that these values are clearly reflected in the Governor’s approach to governance. He offered prayers for God’s continued guidance, wisdom and strength for Governor Inuwa Yahaya to lead the state to greater heights.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN, Barrister Barnabas Alhamdu, explained that the tradition of Christians paying homage to the Governor dates back over a decade. He observed that since the inception of the Yahaya administration in 2019, Christian communities in the state have continued to enjoy openness, inclusiveness and a strong sense of belonging under the present leadership.
As a mark of appreciation, the Christian community, through its leadership, presented the Governor with a Christmas gift to honour the occasion and acknowledge his commitment to peaceful coexistence in the state.
In his response, Governor Yahaya presented cash gifts to various groups within the Christian Association as a token of appreciation for the visit and the sustained prayers and support of the Christian community.
The event attracted thousands of Christians from across the nooks and crannies of Gombe State and featured praise songs, goodwill messages, and prayers for sustained peace, unity and prosperity of the state and the nation.
Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General
(Press Affairs)
Government House
Gombe
