'Governor Bello is a Christian friendly governor'- Onoja »

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State have been described as arguably the most Christian friendly governor in Nigeria because of his open mindedness towards other faiths and his stance on religious tolerance.

The Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja made this remark yesterday in Idah during the 132 years anniversary celebration of United Evangelical Church (UEC), formally known as Qua-Iboe Church.

Onoja said Governor Bello since assumption of office have united the state at all fronts and have ensured that religion or class was not a requirement to determine the growth or development of any individual or group.

He said for the first time in 28 years, a Muslim governor have thought it wise to construct a chapel in government house where, like their Muslim counterparts, Christians can also have a place of worship, saying that the gesture was divinely symbolic as it has planted the spirit of togetherness in the subconsciousness of the people.

The Deputy Governor declared that for any society to prosper, mutual tolerance must exist among the various groups not only in words but also in action.

He narrated how the governor have supported several evangelical missions within and outside the state, contributed hugely to construction of churches, donation of vehicles for evangelism and how he placed premium on capacity rather than ethnic or religious affiliation in all his dealings including when taking political decisions, and said only a leader with a divine calling could master such.

Onoja called on the people of the state to show love and mutual respect to one another, saying that it was a divine injunction to man to love his neighbor as one’s self.