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President Obasanjo's speech after the Kaduna Mayhem - February 22, 2000.

"Fellow Nigerians,

"It is indeed with a heavy heart that I have to address you today on the events of the last 72 hours in Kaduna. I am sure I speak for every Nigerian, Muslim or Christian that the event is one of deep sadness, regret and sorrow.

"Let me at this point offer condolence to those who have lost relatives in the disturbance. Equally, I offer my sympathy to those who have been injured, those who have lost property and all those who have been disturbed in any way as a result of these unspeakable activities.

"Let me also congratulate those who have in the midst of the troubles maintained their calm and demonstrated good neighbourliness and their willingness to be keepers of their brothers and sisters.

"Our new democratic dispensation affords us the opportunity for dialogue, debate and deliberation together for peaceful solutions, rather than bitterness, confrontation, and violence. Thus the events in the recent past in Kaduna violates the new spirit of governance.

"Whilst the adherents of the two main religions have sadly turned combatants in the streets of Kaduna, the fact still remains that Islam by name is a religion of peace, and Christianity was established by the Prince of Peace. Both religions have love as cardinal in their creeds.

"Any adherent of either religion would thus be failing his faith if he or she should resort to violence, destruction of life and property. It is foolishness to trust in promoting our faith or religion by violence or in protesting against other people’s faith or religion by violence.

"To be engaged in activities that so unsettle public peace is not only criminal but highly unpatriotic, particularly now that the international community is beginning to regain its confidence in our nation. We cannot afford to lose the considerable amount of goodwill that has greeted our transition to the democratic governance. We need that goodwill to sustain our efforts at reconstructing the country and improving the economic prosperity of every man, woman and child in this country.

"Let me assure those living in Nigeria today that our administration is irrevocably committed to ensuring security and protection of life and property for all. We will leave no stone unturned, nor will we mind whose goat is gored in our determination to protect life and seek out and punish the perpetrators of these terrible atrocities.

"What have we really gained from the horrors of Kaduna? Absolutely nothing, except wanton destruction, loss of mutual trust and belief in the merits of tolerance. We must return to tolerance, constitutionality, decency and good neighbourliness. Extremism in religion, nationalism, or in any other human emotion is self-destructive in addition to possibly destroying its victim.

"If Nigeria is to tread the path of greatness, it cannot be along the line of religious violence and bigotry. It must be along the path of constitutionality, democracy, the rule of law and mutual respect for each other in all aspects of our lives.

"What we need most now is love, caring for each other and joining hands to rebuild the nation together. Let us bind our wounds and accept the challenge of the time.

"We must stand together in love, peace and prosperity.

"May God bless you all and bless Nigeria."

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This page was last updated on 10/27/07.