Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of Nigerians Interfaith Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; and the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, have appealed to Nigerians to use the various religions as avenues for tolerance and unity.
They made the call in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the World Interfaith Harmony Week conference and award, an event organised to foster peace and understanding among diverse faith communities in the country.
The event, which was organised by Honour 103.5 FM and Pan-af Publishers in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), had the theme: The Love of the Good and The Love of the Neighbors, and a sub-theme: Peace for Our Time.
According to the leaders, Nigerians need to be at peace with themselves and one another for the country to unite and make progress.
Obasanjo said all religions preach true love and tolerance, adding that there would be no peace without true love.
The former President said it is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians to ensure that the nation enjoys peace.
He said with peace and progress go together, it is the responsibility of a all citizens to work for peace.
Obasanjo said the gathering was as a clarion call to Nigerians to show tolerance, love each other, and stand with fellow citizens.
He urged all Nigerians to jettison religious contradiction and embrace peace and love.
The former President said all religions preach these virtues, adding that Nigerians must continue to hope for a brighter future and a Nigeria where peace reigns supreme.
The Sultan of Sokoto said Nigerians would be a better country where everyone would have peace if we all unite unite, despite their differences.
He attributed most of the problems the nation to lack of understanding, particularly about religious matters and ethnicity.
In his keynote address, former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, said Nigerians owe it to themselves and their children’s posterity to strive for peace.
Other dignitaries at the event included Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
