By Saeed Ahmad Bappah and Adamu Abubakar Kumo

The Executive Chairman of Gombe Local Government and Chairman of ALGON, Gombe State, Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, hosted the leadership of various Christian communities in Gombe Local Government Area on Tuesday in an interactive session as part of this year’s Christmas activities.

The Chairman, who is also the National ALGON Legal Adviser, while receiving the leaders, expressed delight at receiving the leadership of the Christian community in Gombe and thanked them for honoring his invitation.

Barrister Sani noted that it is the responsibility of a leader to open doors and to carry every member of the society as part and parcel of his subjects.

He emphasized the role of inclusivity in leadership, stressing that he is committed to ensuring that all people of Gombe LGA are given a sense of belonging without any form of discrimination.

“It is our responsibility to open doors to anybody who belongs to Gombe Local Government without discrimination. There would be no leader without followers”, he stated.

The ALGON Chairman narrated that he had a similar engagement with leaders of Muslim communities during Sallah where he got first-hand information about their plights, worries, and concerns to effectively undertake his responsibilities as a leader.

“In every successful and all-inclusive leadership, there must be a mechanism that will link the leaders with the followers at the grassroots level,” he stated, “From our own part at the local government, we started reaching out to traditional rulers and continued to ensure that in every gathering that we have, I ensure that there is a religious leader or a clergyman who will pass the message to the followers”, he explained.

“My concern is not the people sitting here; my concern is those people under you – people who listen to your sermons and preachings – your followers.” He added

“In our own little way, through engagements like this and other means, we hope to reach out to you. We have orphanages; we have people who are really in dire need; some are in the hospital. We therefore intend to touch their minds and give them a sense of belonging and self-worth. Let them also share the joy and happiness of the season.”

Barrister Sani offered one million naira honorarium to the Christian community to support, especially the less privileged among them, also share the happiness of the season.

He assured that his administration is going to be conducting quarterly meetings with representatives of the Christian community in Gombe LGA.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the LG Secretary, Gombe LGA, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Dawaki, stated that the current leadership at the state and local government levels in Gombe State is always committed to running an inclusive governance where everybody is carried along.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe LGA, Reverend Jim James Amos, applauded the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his commitment to providing a peaceful atmosphere for adherents of all faiths to carry out their activities peacefully.

He explained that despite the diversity, Gombe State remained relatively peaceful. “And this was not arbitrary; it was a deliberate effort to secure the state,” he said.

He appreciated the Gombe LGA Chairman’s inclusive governance, stating that this is the first time in history that the Christian leaders, including pastors and leaders of various denominations, were invited by the LG Chairman to discuss and interact with him.

“The Chairman’s gesture of donating one million Naira towards supporting less privileged and vulnerable members of Christian communities, especially at this time of the year, is very commendable,” Reverend Amos remarked.

Reverend Amos expressed his delight over the LG Chairman’s resolve to hold quarterly engagements with the leaders of Christians in Gombe LGA, stating that this will go a long way in fostering peace, unity, and understanding between leaders and followers.

Also present during the visit were State CAN Chairman, Reverend Father Joseph Alfunsus Shinga, CAN State Secretary; Pastor Solomon Alowale; Former Chairman, Reverend Abare Kalla; Leaders of the Women and Youth Wings; among other leaders.