By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
Religious stakeholders have underscored the need to promote mutual love and understanding among ethnic groups to ensure adequate peace and progress in Nigeria.
The stakeholders made the call in Ibadan on Thursday at the 2022 second quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
The NIREC Executive Secretary, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, said it was not in the nature of Nigerians to hate one another as reflected in the country’s old national anthem, ‘though tribes and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand’.
“It’s difficult to defend this assertion today, hence we need to know what went wrong, how and when we started this religious, ethnic profiling,” he said.
Omonokhua said that love and mutual understanding strengthen the sacredness of relationships, dialogue, and capacity to transform the status of a servant to dine with kings and queens.
“I believe that no matter the situation we find ourselves, NIREC can contribute immensely to the future stability of this nation. We believe that Nigeria will rise again.
“Like Jonathan in the Bible, we can rise above political ambition and partisan politics to live in love as brothers and sisters,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, urged Nigerians not to divide themselves because of religion.
Makinde pledged the government’s support for all sectors of the economy, including religion.
“People should get their PVCs and engage politicians through their votes. I will only play politics of development; that of moving people from poverty to better life,” he said.
Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace one another in love, in spite of their different religions.
“God is love as the Bible says. It’s the greatest gift and no matter how religiously committed one may be, you must love others as yourself.
“What makes us committed to God is when we practically show love, our society cannot be better if we don’t show love to one another,” he said.
Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammad Abubakar, said the essence of religion is to guide people back to their creator.
Abubakar urged religious leaders to spread the message of love to their followers to promote peace and progress in Nigeria.
“We should remind ourselves that Nigeria is a leader in Africa. So, we should do our best to live in love, Unity and peace,” he said.
The Oyo CAN Chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju and the Oyo State Muslim Community Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, pledged to work in synergy to ensure peace and unity in the state.
The dignitaries at the occasion include executives of CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Muslim Community and other Religious bodies.
The highlights were paper presentations on the need to promote mutual love and understanding in Nigeria.
The meeting has its theme as ‘Promoting Mutual Love and Understanding in Nigeria’.
(NAN)
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