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By Samuel Torlumun
—Commends Tinubu, Gov. Sule as champions of peace
The ancient town of Keffi, Nasarawa State, was on Friday enveloped in an atmosphere of gratitude and sober reflection as Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu commissioned Masjid Zaidan, a newly built Juma’at Mosque he dedicated to the memory of his late parents.
The commissioning ceremony attracted religious scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, all of whom gathered to witness what was widely described as a landmark gesture of faith, service and community development.
Speaking at the event, Senator Wadada called on Nigerians to cultivate the fear of God, practice religious tolerance and uphold peaceful coexistence, stressing that genuine faith must be reflected in kindness, justice and love for one another.
According to the senator, religion should serve as a bridge that unites people rather than a wall that divides them. He noted that all religions preach compassion and warned against intolerance, hatred and division, which he described as threats to societal harmony.
“This mosque is not only a place for prayer,” Wadada said. “It is a centre for moral renewal, where values such as humility, patience, generosity and love for humanity must be nurtured. Our diversity is a blessing that must be protected with wisdom.”
The lawmaker explained that his inspiration for building the mosque was rooted first in his spiritual submission to Allah and, secondly, in service to humanity. He said the mosque would help worshippers constantly remember and fear God, seek forgiveness and pray for eternal rest for his parents, whom he credited for raising him with strong Islamic values and cultural principles of fairness, humility and justice.
Emphasising interfaith harmony, Wadada described Islam as a religion that promotes justice and fairness for all, regardless of belief. He recalled his own upbringing, noting that he was educated in a Christian missionary school, Government Secondary School Miango in Plateau State, where he studied the Bible alongside Islamic teachings.
“The differences between religions are not much,” he said. “Most conflicts arise because people practice their faiths without understanding others. Islam even permits giving Zakat to Christians. Peace is central to all our beliefs—‘Assalamualaikum’ and ‘Shalom’ both mean peace.”
He urged the media to play a stronger role in promoting unity through public enlightenment and reorientation, adding that his political philosophy centres on educating the electorate across religious, social, economic and political divides.
Senator Wadada also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as exemplary leadership and forgiveness, citing the inclusion of former critics in recent ambassadorial nominations as evidence of placing Nigeria above personal interests.
Similarly, he praised Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, for sustaining peace in the state, describing peace as a vital instrument for socio-economic and political development.
“We commend him, we respect him, and we stand with him,” the senator said.
The event ended with prayers for peace, unity and continued progress in Keffi and the nation at large, as residents hailed the mosque as both a spiritual landmark and a symbol of communal harmony.
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