Adamawa and the IDB loan

Many people in Adamawa are today trying to figure out the sense and rationale in one of the reasons given by SASM, which is trying is trying to stop a loan for Adamawa state Government from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the construction of three science secondary schools, evenly spread among the three senatorial zones […]

Many people in Adamawa are today trying to figure out the sense and rationale in one of the reasons given by SASM, which is trying is trying to stop a loan for Adamawa state Government from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the construction of three science secondary schools, evenly spread among the three senatorial zones of the state.
SASM under the pretext of constitutionality said Adamawa being “a multi-religious and multi-ethnic state highly sensitive or volatile on religious issue” must not get the loan from IDB, being an Islamic Bank! How can anybody with commonsense conclude that science schools build for Christian and Muslim students with an interest-free loan from the bank would constitute a threat?  Boko haram will be celebrating this attempt to disrupt this western education school project. The “crusaders” against this loan are really on the same page with the “jihadists” on this one.
 On a serious note, members of SASM need to know that relying on ethno-religious sentiments as a life crutch at the slightest opportunity to score political gains no longer excites the public. What the public needs now, are justice, peace and good governance. If an Islamic, Christian, Pagan or Idol bank can offer loan to support good governance and service delivery, it should be collected without qualms.
What will SASM say for last week’s subscription to Islamic Bond known as Sukuk by British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and leader of Christian-dominated Britain? It is also on record that Anambara, Niger and Gombe states of Nigeria have benefited from IDB loan as well as Nigeria as a nation.
Nobody says interest groups should not probe or criticize government activities. Vibrant opposition is always a welcome thing in a democracy, but a situation where some people cannot offer it without petty sentiments is totally unacceptable.
In Adamawa, we celebrated the centenary of Modibbo Adama, and the centenary of Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, where both Muslims and Christians congratulated each other for the successes in gospel activities and peaceful coexistence of the two religious bodies.
What we need in Adamawa is peace, tolerance and dialogue in settling our differences and not somebody or group to be promoting things that divide us.
In fact, the recent launching of the Social Re-integration Group (SOREG) in Adamawa to promote tolerance and check the excesses of bigots from all sides of the divide came at the right time.  My advice to SASM is that, if it really wishes Adamawa well, it must stop dragging religion into politics. Both religions preach love and tolerance. Love is the weapon of the future; we should try to outdo each other in showering love and not hate.

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