Northern Religious Leaders Urge Peaceful Coexistence

Northern religious leaders under the aegis of Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) have taken a bold step towards promoting peaceful coexistence in the region.

The organisation has inaugurated its executive members to drive its objectives in Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the inauguration yesterday in Lafia, Dr Labaran Magaji, Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government (SSG), urged religious leaders to preach religious tolerance to attract development to the region.

According to the SSG, peace and security are paramount in any given society that genuinely desires to make progress and bring development to its people.

Magaji, represented by the Special Adviser to Gov Abdullahi Sule SSG’s Office, Dr Justina Anjiode, while underscoring peace and security, applauded the united front of the Northern Christian Religious Leader Assembly to educate people on peaceful coexistence.

“I want to congratulate the inaugurated leadership of this organisation, we cannot have peace and security if we don’t have a united front.

“We wish you the best. We will continue to pray for you to succeed.

“Leadership is not something you can do on your own; you need the grace, courage, and blessings of God to be able to be a good leader,” he said.

Magaji said Nasarawa State had been enjoying relative peace because of Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s leadership style which promotes religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and encourages people to continue in that light.

“As a government, we will not relent, we will not falter in ensuring the security of life and property of citizens.

“When we have peace, naturally we will have development and we will have progress,” he said.

Also speaking, Very Rev. Obed Musa-Kande the newly inaugurated chairman, Northern Christian Religious Assembly, Nasarawa State chapter, said the organisation was established to complement existing Christian organisations and bridge the gap.

“What really gave birth to this organisation is the deficit that we have in some Christian organisations.

“We came in to augment because this organisation speaks the language of the northerners more perfectly than any christian organisation.

“Other organisations are nationwide, but ours is northern christians, we are specific. So, there is that information for reorientation, sensitisation that we are supposed to relate with our followers properly.

“We preach peace at every forum, making them understand that peace is ultimate.

“We will tell them to get engaged in meaningful ventures, develop themselves, learn a skill to be self-reliant instead of over-depend on the government,” he said.

The chairman said that the organisation would leverage its structured spread across northern states, local government areas, wards, and polling units to spread the message of peace.

In a key address, Arch Bishop, Dr John-Praise Daniel, national chairman, NOCRELA, represented by Prof. Musa Jatau, harped on the need for Christian leaders to prioritise Christian values, discipleship, mentorship, and show compassion to one another.

“Christian leadership responsibilities, amongst other things are to train and equip the followers for leadership and economic emancipation not only in the church but in every dimension of human endeavour,” he said.