Muslims from the South-East and South-South of Nigeria have gathered Akwa Ibom State for a two-day Unity Conference holding at a time of great tension among the country’s Muslim Ummah angered by the American-made movie that denigrates their religion. Ironically entitled Innocence of Muslims, the film has led to protests in about a dozen countries, including Nigeria.

There was, however, no tension at all but rather an atmosphere of conviviality as the South-East and South-South Muslims yesterday opened their meeting in the South-South state of Akwa Ibom.

The conference is attracting heavyweights, among them Nigeria’s Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III (the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims): Emir of Azare, Dr. Mohammed Kabir Musa Ibrahim II; and Sarkin Birnin Gwari, Malam Zubair Jibril Mai-Gwari.

Other dignitaries gracing the conference include the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; one-time Secretary to Government of the Federation, Dr. Mahmoud Yayale; Islamic Scholar, Mallam Gumi, immediate past Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, and host governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, among others.

Declaring the conference open at Le’Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba, Vice President Sambo stressed the need for religious tolerance among Nigerians. He also called for unity among people from different ethnic groups in the country as well as support for President Jonathan in an effort to implement his transformation programmes in the power sector and security of life and property of Nigerians.

*Photo, courtesy Akwa Ibom State Government House Press Centre, shows (L-R), Emir of Azare, Dr Mohammed Kabir Musa Ibrahim 11; Sarkin Birnin Gwari, Malam Zubair Jibril Mai-Gwari; Chief Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State; and Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto . . . yesterday in Uyo.