AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE, SIR PATRICK IBRAHIM YAKOWA (CON) TO THE PEOPLE OF KADUNA STATE

Kaduna State Governor addresses the people of Kaduna

An Address By His Excellency, The Executive Governor Of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (Con) To The People Of Kaduna State - The Curfew has been reviewed as follows: Friday 22nd June 2012 - from 12 noon to 4pm. Members are allowed to go and pray in their mosques. Saturday 23rd June 2012 – 24 hours curfew.

 Sunday 24th June 2012 - from 9am to 1pm, members are allowed to go and worship in their churches.

AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE, SIR PATRICK IBRAHIM YAKOWA (CON) TO THE PEOPLE OF KADUNA STATE

Fellow citizens of Kaduna State,

The sad, unfortunate and uncalled for happenings in some parts of the state in the past few days, occasioned by the actions of some misguided elements in our society are known to all. Let me start by thanking members of the security agencies, traditional and religious leaders and well meaning members of the society, for their efforts in cooling down tempers and stemming the tide of violence to enable us have peace in the state. Thanks be to God for the gradual restoration of peace to our state. We shall continue to pray to God and work hard for the full restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

We have been having close consultation with the security agencies, traditional and religious leaders on the way forward. We also recognize the passion of our citizens for honouring and observing the tenets of their respectivereligions. We covet the prayers of all for peace and security of the land and assure all and sundry that we shall continue to do everything possible to protect lives and properties in the length and breadth of the state.

Incidentally, tomorrow the 22nd of June, 2012 would be a Friday, while the 24th of June 2012 would be a Sunday. We want the adherents of the two main religions in the state to use the two days to fast and pray for the peace of the state. Based on this, we have decided to create a window to allow the adherents of the two religions to pray in their places of worship nearest to them, and have therefore reviewed the curfew hours for only these two days to run as follows:

Friday 22nd June 2012 - from 12 noon to 4pm. Members are allowed to go and pray in their mosques.

Saturday 23rd June 2012 – 24 hours curfew.

Sunday 24th June 2012 - from 9am to 1pm, members are allowed to go and worship in their churches

The windows that have been created are specifically to allow our citizens to go to their places of worship and pray for the peace of our land. It is therefore hoped that they use this opportunity to pray for peace, forgiveness of one another, healing to the wounded and comfort to the bereaved. It is further hoped that we would be orderly and peaceful as we go to observe our prayers at our places of worship nearest to us and also return peacefully to our homes.

The state government is appealing to Imams and Pastors to admonish their adherents on the need to ensure peaceful coexistence and tolerance for one another and to be our brother’s keepers, while all are advise to shun rumour mongering and ignore mischievous texts messages that are meant to cause further chaos in the state.

Members of the security agencies, who are on top of the situation, have been placed on red alert to avert any semblance of the breach of peace.

We wish to assure all and sundry that we are working round the clock for early and full restoration of peace and normalcy in the state. We require the cooperation and support of all in this direction.

Thank you and God bless you.

Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa,

Executive Governor Kaduna State