VP Osinbajo tasks religious, traditional rulers on peaceful dialogue

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has urged religious and traditional rulers to continue supporting the government in amplifying the message of peace and religious tolerance across the country.

He said it was important for Nigerians to support the government by shunning divisive rhetoric and their promoters.

Osinbajo said it was saddening that the ignorant were demanding separation and promoting issues capable of pitching Nigerians against one another to achieve their interests.

These were his submissions at the public presentation of the book: “Islam in Yorubaland: History, Education and Culture,” which was coordinated by the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Vice President who was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, argued that though the country was facing challenges, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was exploring different options to bring about lasting solutions to the problem.

Other eminent personalities who graced the occasion included the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The guests all attributed rising agitations and dissatisfaction across the country to illiteracy and misinformation in the land, which required more teachings of the younger Nigerians about the nation’s history.

Truth & Faith
Sultan Abubakar noted that aside from history, religious leaders and scholars across Nigeria must rise up in feeding their followers with truth and the true meaning of faiths they profess.

He canvassed religious tolerance, saying it can foster harmony across the country, which makes it imperative for stakeholders to rise up and devise policies that would reduce issues of misinformation across the country, particularly those hinged on religious differences.

He said issues of national importance were being left in the hands of ignorant and illiterate citizens who were bent on setting the country up in flames through negative narratives.

Sultan Abubakar said people calling for secession at a time the country is seeking to fix all security apparatus are not informed and they need to be more informed so as to make a good decision.

In the same vein, Oba Ogunwusi called for a harmonious relationship among all tribes in Nigeria irrespective of their religious background.

He implored other regions to learn from religious harmony in the Southwest.

According to him, hardly can there be a family in Yorubaland without having Muslims and Christians as members of the family.

Despite this, Oba Ogunwusi said, it was rare finding people fighting over religious issues in the Southwest.

Also speaking, Asiwaju Tinubu called for unity among Nigerians in the face of insecurity.

Nigerians, he said, should support the Federal Government’s efforts at quelling insurgents and banditry.

Represented by the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Tinubu urged Nigerians to be wary of actions capable of plundering the country into ethno-religious crisis.

Welcoming the guests, MUSWEN President-General, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, described the book presentation as historic for Muslims in the Southwest.

According to him, it was a realisation of a dream to set the historical records of Islam in Yorubaland straight.

“What makes the difference in today’s presentation is the calling of the spade by its real name… for centuries, Muslims in Nigeria’s Southwest has had to accept the concept and conditions for practicing their religion, which had to be dictated to them by their counterparts in other religions,” he said.

The book was presented by former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Jubrila Ayinla and was reviewed by the Provost, Federal College of Education Iwo, Professor Rafiu Adebayo.

MUSWEN President-General, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo while welcoming the guests, described the book presentation as historic for Muslims in South-West.

According to him, it was a realisation of a dream to set the historical records of Islam in Yorubaland straight.

The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Imam Abdur-Rahman Ahmad says the book enlightens Nigerians on how Islam came to Yorubaland in a “very strong, bold and well accepted.”

He stated that the aim of Islam was not to antagonise society but to enhance stable relationships among the people.

Also in attendance were Oluwo of Iwo Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, Oniru of Iruland Oba Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal, Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) as well as Founder and Chairman of the FATE Foundation, Alhaji Tajudeen Fola Adeola, who chaired the event.

Nnenna.O