By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has applauded the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, for his role in promoting peace between people of different faiths in Nigeria, including through his positions as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
Dr. Montgomery, gave this commendation when he paid a scheduled visit to Sokoto State, the seat of the Caliphate in Nigeria.
Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth, and Development Office, British High Commission, Abuja, Ms Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, in a statement, said, the British High Commissioner, also discussed the situation in the Niger Republic and the prospects for a mediated resolution with the Sultan.
Other engagements during the High Commissioner’s visit, she said, included a thought-provoking meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and academics who shared their insights on social, religious, economic, and security issues.
To understand more about the state’s history the High Commissioner visited the Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Bureau.
He described their archives of correspondence and official documents from Shehu Usman Dan Fodio’s time as a “treasure trove for historians”.
Ahead of Remembrance Day, the High Commissioner paid his respects at the graves of 12 soldiers, British and Nigerian, who fell in the Second World War.
The British High Commissioner, Dr Richard Montgomery, said: “It was an honour to be received by His Eminence the Sultan in Sokoto. We reflected on the deep and historical ties between the UK and Sokoto, including the links between the Sultanate and the British Royal Family. We had an insightful discussion on traditional leadership and social progress; inter-faith dialogue; national peace initiatives; and regional mediation. My visit was also an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the state’s contribution to the history of Nigeria, including by seeing the remarkable archives of the Sokoto Caliphate at the Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Bureau; a real treasure trove for historians. I had an engaging discussion with representatives of civil society, academia, and traditional leaders, who shared their insights on issues including gender equality, insecurity, and the economy. Ahead of Remembrance Day, it was important to pay my respects at the graves of 12 soldiers, British and Nigerian, who gave their lives in the Second World War”.
