CHRISTIAN LEADERS VISIT SULTAN'S PALACE
CONN/741106
Peter Onwubuariri,
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2006- A delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Tuesday paid a condolence visit to the Sultanate Council in Sokoto following the death of Alhaji Mohammed Maccido, who died with his two sons in the ill-fated ADC Flight 053.
The delegation which was led by the National President of CAN, The Most Rev Peter Akinola arrived the palace of the late Sultan at about noon yesterday.
The delegation included the National CAN Secretary, Engr. Samuel Salifu, Anglican Bishop of Kubwa, The Rt. Rev Simon Bala, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, The Rt. Rev Kelvin Aje and Bishop Augustine Omole of Sokoto diocese (Anglican Communion).
Others are Dr Haruna Karakou, CAN Secretary Sokoto State branch and a woman representative Mrs. Cecilia Esueme.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Archbishop Peter Akinola described the Sultan as a good and patient man who worked for peace during his lifetime.
In 2005, the CAN President and the Sultan, spiritual leader of Muslims in the country co-chaired the Federal Government Committee on the Tsunami Disaster.
According to Akinola, the Sultan had a fatherly figure that greatly endeared him to most people that came in contact with him.
Responding Governor Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State acknowledged that the late Sultan was committed to the on-going dialogue on the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in the country and pleaded that his legacy should be bequeathed to all men of goodwill.
Engr. Samuel Salifu, CAN Secretary, who traveled ahead of the CAN delegation to Sokoto, said Christians in the state were grieved over the death of the sultan, members of his families and other citizens of the state killed in the plane crash.
According to him, the state Christian community revered the late Sultan as ‘a man of peace’ and is praying that his successor would maintain his belief on the peaceful co-existence of both faiths in the country.
