Stakeholders canvass religious harmony in Lagos markets

Stakeholders have canvassed religious harmony and peace in markets across Lagos State, charging both Muslim and Christian traders to live as one.

They spoke on Wednesday at the ground-breaking ceremony and laying of foundation for the Ile-Epo Market mosque.

The Ile-Epo Market was demolished early this year to pave way for a modern market. The development of the N2 billion market has since commenced with the first phase nearing completion.

Speaking at the event, the religious leader, Hausa Arewa Community in Agege, Alhaji Tijani Muktar said there was need for Muslims and Christians in Lagos markets to live together in harmony and in peace as both religions were one.

He said what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was doing in Lagos State in terms of ensuring peace, harmony and security had helped to prevent crisis in the state like other places.

According to him, there was need for all to pray for peaceful co-existence, unity and love among Nigerians without looking at religious differences and tribalism, saying that “if we have love for God, we will love all creatures of God without looking at the religious differences.

National President, Arewa United Consultative Forum and one of the founders of the Ile-Epo Market, Alhaji Ado Shuaibu said the first contractor who built the market built it for his selfish purpose and not according to the original master plan, but noted that the new contractor was building according to plan.

He said there was a mosque in the old market before it was demolished, which informed the reason the new contractor wanted to build another mosque to enhance religious harmony in the market and in Lagos.

He called on religious leaders to educate the youths to embrace religious tolerance so that Muslims and Christians would continue to live together in peace in Lagos.

“Muslims and Christians are the same. Any where you see religious crisis, it started from ignorant people. We thank the government for creating security in the state. We give him 100 percent support; we will vote for him and give him support for his second term,” he said.

The Managing Director, Total Value Integrated Limited and developer of the market, Chris Onyekachi, said he decided to build a mosque in the market because it was existing before it was demolished, saying that it would enhance religious harmony.

He called on Muslim and Christian traders in the market to live as one and embrace religious tolerance for the benefit of Lagos State.