North Central Religious Advisers Advocate Inter-Faith Harmony for peaceful region.
By Samson Obande, Lafia.
The Forum of Religious Advisers to Governors in the North Central geo-political zone has resolved to intensify efforts at promoting inter-religious harmony among adherents of different faiths in their respective states.
The resolution was reached on Thursday at the forum’s maiden meeting hosted by the Nasarawa State Government at the Nasarawa Luxury Hotel, Lafia.
The inter-faith dialogue brought together Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants on Christian and Islamic Religious Matters to the six governors of the North Central region to deliberate on strategies for sustaining peace and religious tolerance across the zone.
Leading deliberations, the Senior Special Assistant to the Nasarawa State Governor on Christian Religious Matters, Venerable Jibrailu Yarima Dabong JP, and his counterpart on Islamic Religious Matters, Ustaz Saidu Kirki, described peace as critical to meaningful development.
They called on citizens, particularly Christians and Muslims, to embody the values of peace as taught in the Bible and the Quran.
“Nasarawa State under the able leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule is enjoying tremendous peace because of his peaceful disposition, inclusivity, promotion of justice, and love for God and humanity,” they said.
The duo disclosed that Governor Sule was pleased with the forum’s visit and provided all logistics for the hosting, expressing hope that its resolutions would further enhance peaceful coexistence in a zone that has been the epicentre of ethno-religious and communal crises for decades.
In separate presentations on the theme “Sustainable Peace and Religious Harmony,” Prof. Mohammed Tanko Aliyu Baitula, a renowned Islamic scholar, and Rev. Dr. Anthony Habila both of Federal University of Lafia, stressed that religious harmony is the pathway to peace in a multi-religious society.
They emphasized tolerance, love, and dialogue as non-negotiable tools for peace, and warned against peace initiatives that exist only “on paper.”
“Peace must be practical, not hypocrisy or eye service. What has always been done by various state governments and religious leaders is more of words without action,” they noted.
The clerics urged adherents to sincerely practice their faiths and uphold the teachings of the Holy Prophets, which they said are anchored on love, peace, and tolerance for the good of society and the nation.
Participants from other North Central states also highlighted efforts by their governors to promote peace and tranquility.
Contributors included Hon. Gaminana Usman, SSA on Inter-Religious Affairs, Kogi State; Hon. Omolaye Joel, SSA on Christian Religious Affairs, Kogi State; Pastor Lawrence Isa, Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Christian Affairs; and Pastor Nehemiah Nanmwa, SSA on Religious Affairs to the Plateau State Governor.
At the end of the meeting, members resolved to expand subsequent sittings to include government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders, whom they described as key drivers of peaceful coexistence and harmony in society.
The forum said it will sustain regular engagements to ensure religious tolerance and lasting peace across the North Central region.
