Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto and co-chairman of Nigerians Interfaith Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, have stressed the need for religious tolerance among Nigerians to have united Nigeria.
Others who spoke at the World Interfaith Harmony Week Conference and Award included former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara.
The event was aimed at fostering peace and understanding among diverse faith communities.
They believe Nigeria needs peace and harmony to unite and move forward.
The event, organised by Honor 103.5 FM and Pan-af Publishers, in collaboration with the United Nations, had its theme: “The Love of the Good and The Love of the Neighbors,” with a sub-theme of “Peace for Our Time.”
Obasanjo said all religion preaches true love and tolerance, adding that there can’t be peace without true love.
He said it was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians for the nation to be in peace, which should not be left alone for someone.
In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto said that if Nigerians could come together as one despite their differences, “We can have a better society because most of the problems the nation is having have to do with a lack of understanding, particularly when it comes to religion and ethnicity.”
He described the gathering as a clarion call on all Nigerians to tolerate, love each other, and stand with themselves.
He urged all Nigerians to forget any contradiction in religion and embrace peace and love, which all religions preach. He added that Nigerians must continue to hope for a brighter future and a Nigeria where peace reigns supreme.
In his keynote address, Dogara said Nigeria owes it to itself and its children’s posterity to strive for peace. He noted that all Nigerians should deploy skills and humanity to create a society where everyone can live with dignity, pride, respect, and peace.
