An Open Letter To Niger State Governor (His Excellency, Mohammed Umar Bago) -By Dr. Timothy Dokpesi Adidi

Your Excellency, I consider it a privilege to write you this day in relation to your recent video that went viral. The video relates to an event of Christian gathering you visited and sang Christian worship songs with the worshippers, who were most likely in a crusade or prayer ground, as the case may be. I am not too sure if the said video is artificial intelligence (AI) generated or if it is real as presented. I strongly believe it is a real event as presented, but if the video was AI-generated, I humbly accept my errors and limitations for sending out this letter and tender an apology for writing this open letter so as not to misrepresent facts. Nevertheless, should the video be real, as seen in various social media handles, I want to use the same medium (social media) to commend you.

I have never been interested in the politics of Niger State, but it does not necessarily mean I do not follow the political events of Niger State. As such, this particular instance of you singing a worship song in a gathering of Christians has seduced me into a political romance of your leadership virtue and interreligious exemplification. I am moved, touched, and inspired by your act of dialogic approach towards emphasizing the importance of ongoing, meaningful conversations that promote understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. It is about creating a culture of dialogue that values diverse perspectives and fosters personal growth, relationships, and community building.

This is precisely what “dialogue for life’ is all about. You might not exactly know the impact you have made by carrying the microphone as a Muslim and a governor of a state in northern Nigeria to sing worship songs and exalt the name of Jesus Christ. Whether you did this genuinely or not is, for me, inconsequential. You have carried out an act that suggests and promotes religious tolerance, dialogue, communication, appreciation, and an exemplary life of grassroots leadership. This, for me, shows a deep sense of commitment to peaceful coexistence and a life of service to everyone in your state.

Your Excellency, after watching the video, I decided to do a background check on you in regard to upbringing. I realized you attended Federal Government College, Jos; this is known today as Unity Schools. This is exactly what the then Federal Colleges represent. Hence, the change of nomenclature to Unity Schools. It was due to the need for national unification and reconciliation after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970 that served as the main impetus for the founding of Unity Schools in Nigeria. One of the main tactics used by the Nigerian government to carry out the “three Rs” strategy of reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reintegration during the post-war era was the conversion of Federal Government Colleges into Unity Schools. By bringing together kids from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, the aim was to promote unity and national cohesion. You have, once again, by this singular act of yours, made Nigeria united in this renewed hope. Hence, if we have to understand what the “renewed hope’ really means, you are a true reflection of what the “renewed hope’ is. This is indeed a renewed hope for reconciliation, restoration, unity, and transformation for a better Nigeria.

I hope this singular act of yours will bring about Muslims and Christians publicly praying together, worshipping God together, and respecting one another. This is the Nigeria we knew in the early 80s, where we studied Christian Religious Studies and Islamic Religious Studies together so as to understand our diverse religions and to embrace one another. I also pray that this singular act of yours will build your political career in such a manner that your leadership style becomes a model and a reminder towards understanding the role of religion.
I wish you all the best as you create more avenues for interreligious dialogue.

Long live Your Excellency,
Long Live the People of Niger State,
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.