Ambode urges youth on peaceful coexistence
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state has charged Nigerian youths especially those in Lagos to propagate and preach peaceful coexistence and religious harmony at all times.
Ambode who was represented by the Director, Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Alhaji Akeem Adetoro lauded Ahmadiyyah Youth Organisation for initiating the ‘ride for peace’ initiative for the centenary celebrations of Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’at world- wide.
The programme was held simultaneously in about 10 states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Kogi, Rivers, Plateau, among others.
About 100 riders partook in the bicycle ride which took off from Rowe Park in Yaba through Sabi Yaba, Oyingbo, Ojuelegba, Constain, Surulere and back to Rowe Park.
The national president of the youth group, Malam Abdulqadir Abdulrafi’i said the ride, apart being used to spread the message of peace which Islam symbolizes, was also intended to promote a green environment by encouraging people to use bicycles.
He said Lagos for instance has too many cars with high volume of carbon dioxide emitted into the air, saying people should explore the option of riding bicycles. State President of the group, Shuaib Badmus stressed that the youths of Ahmadiyyah are after peaceful coexistence and religious harmony in the state.
“Our slogan is love for all, hatred for none. So the only way we feel the world can be at peace is to take care of the next person to use the same level of struggle you can go to, to fight for your right to fight for the other person’s right, to take care of people as if we are borne from the same mother and that’s what we are telling everybody,” he said.