President of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, has expressed satisfaction in President Buhari’s efforts at eradicating religious extremism.
At a meeting on the sidelines of the African Conference for Peace, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Shaykh Bayyah stressed that the world must collaborate with President Buhari in that regard.
The President, who had earlier been invested with the African Award for Strengthening the Peace, was described by the Shaykh as a symbol and icon of leadership and integrity, who would remain an inspiration even after leaving office as President.
“You are doing a great job in that regard, and it is something we need to do wherever such rears it’s head round the world,” the respected cleric said.
Inviting President Buhari to Abu Dhabi within the short time left for him in office, the Shaykh acknowledged that President Buhari had varied experiences, as a military leader, a democratically-elected leader for two terms, and that his input would be appreciated in any society.
President Buhari recounted efforts made to extirpate the Boko Haram ideology in Nigeria, wondering why the group, along with Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, wanted to split the country.
“Boko Haram is false. You say Western education is ungodly. It’s fraudulent. Whoever is financing them just wants to split the country. All the grounds they seized before we came have been recovered, and the rebuilding process is going on well,” the President said.
Abdullah Bello
