BY TAYE OBATERU

Jos – The Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, in Plateau State has called for restraint in making comments on Boko Haram and  Islamic Banking so as not to generate avoidable tension in the country.

The group said in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Johnson Bitsu said utterances of certain people on the issues left much to be desired.

“We have been following comments of Muslim leaders over the issue of Boko Haram and Islamic banking and we take exception to some of the comments”.

Most of those comments on these two key issues have violent disposition as some of them boasted of fighting the issue of Islamic banking with the last drop of their blood” the group noted.

It urged President Goodluck Jonathan to resist the pressure to dialogue with Boko Haram  as its demands were at variance with problem of youth unemployment and poverty in the Northern
part of the country.

According to the group: “We are of the firm belief that the focus of Boko Haram is not geared towards addressing issues in the interest of the North or the country as a whole. They should be reminded that the Northern part of the country is not made purely for Islam and they should not attempt to Islamize the North or the country.”

It urged Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to tread cautiously on the issue of Islamic Banking, advising him to remain an unbiased umpire of the banking sector rather than be seen to be advancing the interest of a particular religion.