Nigeria
with its diversity of culture, over 250 ethnic groups and tribes is better
described a ‘Nation of many nations’. While some of us view this diversity as
an advantage from which the country can greatly benefit if our resources (human
and material) are carefully harnessed, selfish politicians have over the years
exploited the prevalent poverty, illiteracy and ignorance of many, to use our
diversity as a people, to foment strife, distrust among the various tribes, ginger
religious intolerance and perpetrate corrupt acts.
The
core of our national challenges as a nation is the growing religious extremism
been introduce by politicians and some religious leaders, the creation of gap
and disunity between the two major faiths ( Muslim/Christians) which for
example manifest at every time of selection of candidates for the highest
political office in Nigeria, as seen by the tension raised on speculation of Muslim-Muslim ticket as it affected the main
opposition party All Progressive Congress (APC) was so disturbing that one can
clearly see the danger and fragile religious sentiments in Nigeria.
Now,
as we project into the near future as a people, we must accept the fact that
the only geographical space we can easily lay claim to is Nigeria, therefore,
we as young people, Students and future (religious or political) leaders have
decided to chart the course of religious harmony and tolerance, to rescue what
remains of our inclusiveness as a Nation.
We draw strength from the location of our worship places at the
University of Ibadan where the central mosque and the Chapel stood side-by-side
and ever since we have not recorded any clashes. This points out to us that we
can worship and relate as a people in the larger society.
The
interfaith forum for peace and social forum that held between 28-30 December,
2014, among Muslim and Christian students of the University of Ibadan as
organized by Kairos Nigeria, therefore identified the followings as remote
cause of religious intolerance and violence in Nigeria
·
Hate Speech
·
Unguarded Sermon
·
Un regulated Practice of religious
functions
·
High rate of Un employment
·
Loss of morality in preaching
·
Ethnic and tribal segregations
·
Influence of foreign religious sects
that breeds groups such as the “Boko Haram”
As
a way forward and response to the above listed, the forum considers the
followings:
·
That the
government should create a religious regulatory body to monitor speech and
help to combating intolerance
·
That government must register all
religious training institutions in Nigeria; this will reduce the proliferation
of institutions that teach heresy and hard-beliefs.
·
The law of Nigeria must be explicit
enough on Insurgency and related vices
·
That utilization of the new curriculum
on Religion and National value must be re- visited, the core theme of :
Security Education, Civic Education, Social Studies and Religious Education
must be made compulsory at all levels of education in the country
We therefore call on all to help in the task of
explaining the difference between Education and Westernization. Magnification
of our collective value will push Nigeria in a way of Peace; therefore
religious leaders should champion Media orientation to achieve stability.
The Interfaith forum concluded with a decision to
continuing action without any further delay and achieves the followings as a
matter of urgency:
·
Publish the communiqué in a national
newspaper
·
Spread it on Social Media platforms
·
Embark on Advocacy visit by the combine
team under the leadership of Kairos Nigeria to prominent Islamic and Christian
religious leaders, with the aim of bringing them together to address a joint
sitting of Christian and Muslim youths at a forum
·
Immediately produce a joint IEC
materials with Christian and Islamic quotes on peace and tolerance
·
Intensify shift to lectures on
Transformation at addressing collective challenges such as corruption and un
employment.
ATTENDANCE
|
S/N
|
NAME
|
FAITH
|
|
1
|
SANUSI
Saheed Bello
|
Islam
|
|
2
|
OREKOYA Adefolurin O.
|
Christianity
|
|
3
|
SALAM Taofeek
O.
|
Islam
|
|
4
|
AKINLEYE Hassan K.
|
Islam
|
|
5
|
SODOLA
Nurudeen G.
|
Islam
|
|
6
|
ADELAKUN
Adeyemi
|
Christianity
|
|
7
|
ADEBAYO
Kehinde Anthony
|
Christianity
|
|
8
|
ADELAKUN
Oluseyi Esther
|
Christianity
|
|
9
|
SANNI
Alliu Ademola
|
Islam
|
|
10
|
RAJI
Nasirudeen Kolawole
|
Islam
|
|
11
|
OWOLABI
Stephen
|
Christianity
|
|
12
|
ADESANYA
Adenike
|
Christianity
|
|
13
|
ANI
Matthew Chibuzor
|
Christianity
|
|
14
|
ALADE
Elijah
|
Christianity
|
|
15
|
SHAKIRUDEEN
Zakariyah Akintade
|
Islam
|
|
16
|
AROWOLO
Yetunde
|
Christianity
|
|
17
|
ABUBAKAR
Tijani
|
Islam
|
|
18
|
QUADRI
Aminat
|
Islam
|
|
19
|
FADAHUNSI
Kolade
|
Christianity
|
Prepared by Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi.
This project is sponsored by the
Karibu Foundation Norway.
