The Northern Youth Frontiers (NYF), a coalition of youth organisations in Northern Nigeria, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage to seek divine intervention for Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
The group also condemned the killing of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Massusuka, calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for his death are brought to justice.
National Chairman of the coalition, Sama Musa, stated this in a press statement, emphasising the need for religious tolerance, prayers and collective commitment to national development.
Musa described Nigeria as a country with diverse ethnic, cultural and religious identities, stressing that mutual understanding and faith-based efforts were essential to maintaining national unity.
He said the President’s decision to embark on the pilgrimage reflected the importance of seeking divine guidance in addressing the country’s challenges and promoting lasting peace.
Musa said: “As a people of faith, prayer remains one of the fundamental pillars holding Nigeria together despite our cultural and religious differences. The peace of our nation is paramount to national development and nation-building.
“We commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for taking out time to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and seek divine guidance for our country,” the statement read.
The coalition also acknowledged the contributions of Islamic and Christian religious leaders who, according to it, have continued to pray for Nigeria’s unity, peaceful coexistence and prosperity.
Reacting to the killing of Massusuka, the group described the incident as a serious threat to the country’s peace, noting that the late cleric was known for promoting religious harmony and national unity.
Musa added, “We condemned the tragic killing of respected Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Massusuka, describing the perpetrators as clear enemies of Nigeria who are intent on destabilizing the country’s fragile peace.
“The late Yahaya Massusuka was a firm believer in national unity, whose core teachings centered on religious tolerance, peace, and mutual respect – virtues that are critical ingredients if Nigeria is to achieve its full potential.”
The NYF called on President Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant security agencies to commence an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the killing.
It urged the authorities to identify and arrest those behind the attack and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that promote national unity, security and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
