The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, has advocated dialogue as a panacea for peace and tranquility in the country.
The Co-Chairmen of the Council, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, gave the admonition, in Ibadan, during a meeting with members of the Oyo State Executive Council.
NIREC said it decided to move its quarterly meeting to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in honor of one of its co-chairmen and National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, who would be leaving office in the next few weeks.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his magnanimity, while emphasising the need for peace and unity in Nigeria.
He said, “I am very proud of Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa, and I think people should really come in and see the difference in what it used to be in those days of our nationhood and the new Ibadan and Oyo State, and the peace you are enjoying here now.
“I believe this is simply based on understanding. We keep on telling our people to understand and tolerate one another, which is a better way to live as one big family. That is why the theme of this quarterly meeting is apt and widely chosen,”
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, on his part, noted that there has been religious harmony in Oyo State and people have been living together in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, saying the state is accommodating as it welcomes visitors irrespective of their religion or background.
Ayokunle said: “We have been discussing so many issues that would have led to the crisis across the nation and thrash them in our meeting, which has contributed to the peace we are currently enjoying in the nation. We have always advocated dialogue and it is yielding the expected results. The more we have inter-religious education, the better we are.
“There are some misgivings about each religion, which some bad elements amidst us capitalised upon to miseducate others to make the people think the two Abrahamic religions are opposed to each other. So, those are the kind of issues we always rise against in our meetings,”.
Remark
Governor Seyi Makinde in his remarks, declared that his administration would continue to maintain the religious harmony and peaceful co-existence in the state despite the religious diversity of the residents, while appreciating NIREC for taking its quarterly meeting to the state in honour of the President of CAN, Rev. Ayokunle.
Emphasising the need for dialogue, especially at the time when the country is preparing for the 2023 General Elections, Makinde said: “What you stand for is what Nigeria needs especially at this time that election is approaching. I know that conversation will take both ethnic and religious colorations.
“So, we need people like you to speak out in order to douse tension and nudge the nation in a direction of progress. NIREC gives us an opportunity to let the people have clarity about where we should be headed as a country,” the governor affirmed.
Makinde asserted that his administration is after delivery of service and taking the people from poverty to prosperity irrespective of religious or ethnic leaning.
Olusola Akintonde
