GOMBE State Governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, on Saturday in Abuja took a swipe at political office holders in the Northern Nigeria for being responsible for the spate of religious crises rocking that part of the country.

The two-term governor predicated his submission on what he called bad governance among the Northern leaders which has led to wanton destruction of lives and properties, even in the recent past.

He advised that such an ugly trend could be easily nipped if Northern leaders embraced equity, justice and fairness in the polity.

The governor spoke at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, while being conferred with the Award of Excellence and Exemplary Leadership by the National Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The occasion was attended by former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Solomon Lar, Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State , former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, Professor Gerry Gana, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, and the deputy governors of Plateau and Kaduna States, among others.

In his speech, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Saa’d Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Nasarawa, said he associated with the event because of a situation where the Christian Community could see something good in a Moslem and appreciate him, describing the event as a welcome development for the growth of the nation.

Chief Solomon Lar counseled governors of the other states in the country to go to Gombe State and take tutorials under Governor Goje on how to keep people together.

The General Overseer of Deeper Life Church , Pastor W. F. Kumuyi said in every nation, there would always be the time of distress that would necessitate the search for an outstanding man to rescue the situation adding that in Gombe, the jewel of the Savannah , God has raised up Goje for the betterment of his people.
The National President of the YOWICAN, Pastor Sado Henry said the recognition was based on the generosity of the Governor to the Christian faith in the State in addition to his quest to empower the youth.
"It was his rare love for the Christian community and humanity that was responsible for this award and to encourage others to emulate him. For instance he gave six hectares of land; its Certificate of Occupancy and N100m to the Christian community in Gombe for the CAN centre as well as a 10 hectares of land to ECWA Church in Gombe. He also facilitated a parcel of land and N10m for the ECWA church in Nasarawa. He also sent over 2000 Christians on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the last six yrs.
"He has never treated the Christian community less than he did those of his faith and this has not made him a lesser Muslim" Henry added.
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence for the much-needed socio-economic development of the country.

Gowon stated this yesterday in Abuja during the award ceremony for the Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Danjuma Goje by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN).

The former Head State, who said the nation requires collective efforts to surmount its socio-economic problems said, "this moment is instructive for the generality of Nigerians because it shows the appreciation of the young people that have taken note of the good work and leadership the Governor has given his people so far".

Saying that enduring societal development can only be assured through selfless service to humanity, Gowon added "More instructive is the fact that the Christian youths recognised that you have not treated them less than the youths of your faith and without prejudice, fear or favour. This is the kind of leadership our country yearn for, credible leadership based on justice and equity where fair hearing is assured for all irrespective of faith or ethnic background".

While he commended the youth for rewarding a Muslim Governor, Gowon stressed the need for youth empowerment by all tiers of government in the country. "This is the only credible ways through which they can contribute their own quota to state building" he added