Sallah: Alaafin urges Boko Haram to lay down arms

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has appealed to the Islamic fundamentalists “Boko Haram’’ to put an end to terrorism and emulate the peaceful character of Prophet Muhammed. The monarch said this in an eid-el-kabir message signed by his Media Assistant, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, in Oyo on Thursday. Adeyemi urged Muslims across the country to coexist with their neighbours for progress and development to thrive. He said that it was in an atmosphere of peace that a nation could grow, urging Muslims to emulate the peaceful character of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. “I use this medium to congratulate our brothers and sisters in Islam on the celebration of this year’s Eid el Kabir. “Islam is a religion of peace, so I enjoin all our Muslims across the country to embrace peace. “We should work toward harmonious coexistence among all citizens so that the country can witness progress and development,’’ he said. The monarch also called on Nigerians to pray for a smooth transition as the 2015 elections draws nearer. “While calling for divine intervention in the affairs of the nation, I urge Nigerians at home and abroad to use this period of celebration to seek the face of Allah. “They should also supplicate for divine direction for our government on ways to curb the nefarious activities of Boko Haram and other social vices plaguing the nation.’’ Adeyemi enjoined Nigerians to pray for the country and eschew all forms of disunity and divisive tendencies so as to have a free, fair and peaceful transition in 2015.