By Rita Iliya
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, has urged Nigerians to put aside their religious differences and embrace national unity.
Okiro made the call on Thursday in Minna, Niger at the inauguration of a renovated Juma’at Mosque by the Sir Mike Okiro foundation at the Police Secondary School (PSS).
Okiro said the project aimed at promoting religious harmony, was undertaken to provide Muslim students and staff with a conducive place of worship within the school premises.
According to him, all citizens serve one God irrespective of faith and faith should be demonstrated through acts of love, peace and service to humanity.
“When I saw that our Muslim brothers and sisters in this school had nowhere decent to pray during school hours, my conscience would not let me walk away.
“We all worship the same God. What binds us together is greater than what divides us,” he said.
Okiro said the mosque symbolised religious tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, adding that no student should feel excluded because of his or her religious belief.
He urged Nigerians to learn from the country’s past heroes by treating one another as brothers and sisters irrespective of religious affiliation.
“I want Nigerians to put aside their significant religious beliefs and accept Nigeria as one. Everybody should be one as we serve the same God,” he said.
Okiro recalled that a Catholic Church he built within the school was inaugurated in 2025 as part of efforts to promote interfaith harmony in the institution.
Also speaking, the Emir of Kagara, Malam Garba Attahiru, commended Okiro for promoting peace and unity through the project.
He said the country was facing serious security challenges and needed more leaders who would foster understanding among citizens.
“For him to think of renovating a Friday mosque shows he is a good leader. What he is doing demonstrates the synergy that should exist between the police and the people,” he said.
Attahiru said that Okiro had been conferred with the traditional title of Sarkin-Haske of Niger in recognition of his contributions to humanity and national unity.
Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, represented by the Commissioner of Police in Niger, Elleman Adamu, described Okiro as a father figure and promoter of religious harmony.
He said Okiro had always demonstrated an open-door leadership style and remained committed to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Mr Maurice Magaji, Commissioner for Homeland Security in Niger, called on citizens to embrace unity, tolerance, and humanity regardless of ethnic, religious, or racial differences
He said that no individual chooses their faith, race, place of birth, or where they reside, noting that such decisions are determined by God.
According to him, people should focus on celebrating one another and treating each other as members of one family.
“Nobody chooses his faith, race, or where to be born or reside. God makes us who we are today. What we should do is celebrate each other and see ourselves as one family,” he said.
In his remarks, the Commandant of PSS, Haruna Ibrahim, said the gesture reflected faith in action and showed an example of good leadership.
According to him, if Nigerians embrace unity and understanding, the country will overcome religious intolerance and insecurity.
Earlier, the National Secretary of PSS Old Students Association, Kingsley Omo-Ojie, said the association had approached Okiro over the poor condition of the mosque after he renovated the school’s Catholic Church in 2025.
In his remarks, the Commandant of PSS, Haruna Ibrahim, said the gesture reflected faith in action and showed an example of good leadership.
According to him, if Nigerians embrace unity and understanding, the country will overcome religious intolerance and insecurity.
Earlier, the National Secretary of PSS Old Students Association, Kingsley Omo-Ojie, said the association had approached Okiro over the poor condition of the mosque after he renovated the school’s Catholic Church in 2025.
He said Okiro immediately agreed to sponsor the remodelling of the mosque and construction of the ablution centre.
Omo-Ojie noted that the development underscored the school’s belief in unity irrespective of religious background.
NAN reports that Ikiro thereafter had a closed-door meeting with former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, at his hilltop mansion. (NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
