The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade has charged Nigerians not to perceive religious diversity as a barrier to human relations and development, but rather as a tool and resource for national development.
Alaafin Owoade also advised faithful of different religions to realise that religious tolerance and harmony were both legally sanctioned and socially inevitable, as the world could never be composed of one religion or culture.
Director of Media and Publicity to the monarch, Bode Durojaiye, in a statement on Saturday, said the Alaafin stated this on Friday while speaking at the Special Juma’at and thanksgiving service as part of the activities for the coronation ceremony held at the Oyo Central Mosque in Oyo.
Oba Owoade noted that there was no alternative to inter-faith dialogue, as there could never be a universal religion or an exclusive society for adherents of a particular religion.
He noted that every religious group has the right to uninhibited practices of their faith, stressing however that this must be done with respect for the rights of other faithful to practise their religions without infringing on the right of others to observe their own faith.
‘’This desirable scenario of religious harmony can be achieved in Nigeria only through the establishment and sustenance of a neo-religious educational praxis that would generate a culture and orientation of multi-religiosity in our children and youths, as well as a commensurate programme of re-orientation of the adult population.
“Hirtherto, the dominant model of religious education in Nigeria has been faith-oriented and overwhelmed by religious indoctrination and dogma,” Alaafin noted.
Oba Owoade counseled all religious communities to educate their leaders or preachers on the need for religious harmony and the toleration of other faiths.
While also sensitizing religious leaders on the need to keep their sermons within the realm of moderation and modesty, the monarch, stressed the need to strengthen inter-faith dialogue at the national, state and local levels to prevent religious violence.
He reiterated his mission as the symbol of the people’s past, custodian of their history and past, upholder and preserver of their culture, customs, an epitome of cultural norms and values such as truth, discipline, courage and responsibility.
“I will continue to show a sympathetic understanding for the traditions, customs and religions of the people. This is to enable me enjoy the respect, obedience and reverence from my people, because the authority and power actually come from the traditions of the people,” Alaafin said.
Earlier, the Musafat of Oyo land who is also the acting Chief Imam of Oyo, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Eleyele told the Alaafin to always seek divine intervention in all his actions and deeds on the throne.
Alhaji Eleyele also urged the people to always pray for the success of Alaafin Owoade on the throne and abstain from acts detrimental to peace, progress and development.
