Religious leaders in Nigeria have appealed to Christians and Muslims to live in harmony and promote unity.
At a one-day inter faith conference held in Abuja on Thursday to discuss ways of promoting peace and religious tolerance, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, emphasised the need for honest religious leaders and scholars to come together to work for the sustenance of peace, religious understanding and respect for human dignity.
Pastor Oritsejafor, the convener of the conference, stressed that under a peaceful atmosphere, religious leaders had the capacity to set an agenda for achieving the desired unity, peace and mutual respect for adherents of all faiths.
He said religious leaders needed to pursue an agenda that would create equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
“We all Know that this country is experiencing serious security challenges and other social vices culminating in most cases in wanton destruction of lives and property, disrespect of the religion of others, disregard and infringement of other people’s rights and sometimes with impunity, corruption, misguided inflammatory utterances that more often than not occasion negative and unpalatable consequences,” pastor Oritsejafor said.
An Islamic cleric, Mr Abdul Isiaq, condemned unguarded utterances by some Nigerians and reminded them of the need for a peaceful atmosphere.
“2105 is very critical in the Nigerian journey to unity, peace and development and as such, political leaders must exercise restraints in their comments
The one-day conference is aimed at promoting religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
