By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah

The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., recently hosted government functionaries to an Iftar gathering at his residence in Benin City, where he called for greater religious harmony, peace and mutual understanding in society.

Speaking while welcoming guests, Ikhilor said the gathering was organised as the holy month of Ramadan gradually winds down, noting that the period offers an opportunity for reflection and strengthening relationships among colleagues in government.

He said, “I just thought the Ramadan is gradually winding down. We should use the opportunity to host something like this.”

The SSG noted that the event followed earlier engagements organised across the three senatorial districts of Edo State where government officials interacted with Muslim communities during the fasting period.

He explained, “Before now, we had events like this on a larger scale in the three senatorial districts among the stakeholders in the various communities both in Edo South, in Edo Central and in Edo North.”

“We went with some of the government appointees to Edo North, interacted with the Muslim community. We brought them together for the break of fast. It was very wonderful. The feedback we got was very amazing.”

He said the gathering at his residence was organised to extend the same gesture to colleagues within government who work closely together.

He added, “We also thought we should do that for our close family that we work together with in government. That is what brought us here. We just want to say thank you.”

Ikhilor emphasised that the true beauty of faith lies in fostering understanding and building bridges among people of different beliefs.

He said, “The beauty of faith also lies in the effort to try to relate with the people on the other side. It’s about harmony. I think we need that harmony more than ever in our society that we live in now.”

He also pointed to what he described as a remarkable coincidence this year, noting that the Christian season of Lent and Ramadan began on the same day, February 18.

He said, “Perhaps God is guiding us towards that purpose by bringing about a very wonderful coincidence that Lent and Ramadan started the same period. Not just the same period, the same day of 18th of February.”

According to the SSG, the coincidence symbolises a call for unity and collective commitment to peaceful coexistence.

Ikhilor stated, “That is a wonderful sign that this year is a year of coming together, a year for building that harmony that we really need in our society.”

He urged citizens to embrace the values of peace, love and tolerance, stressing that these principles are essential for building a stable and inclusive society.

He said, “It’s about spreading peace, spreading love, spreading mutual understanding and tolerance.”

Responding, the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Esq., commended the SSG for hosting the gathering, describing him as a unifying figure within the government.

He said, “The SSG is a unifying figure among us in governance. What you have done today is a testimony to the fact of the kind of person that you are. May God bless you.”

The event brought together top officials of the Edo State Government, including special advisers, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as permanent secretaries.

The gathering featured prayers and the breaking of the fast, as the government officials shared moments of reflection and fellowship in the spirit of the Ramadan season.