- The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council urges governments to identify and punish sponsors of terrorism, emphasizing justice and accountability for affected communities
- Sultan Abubakar III and Archbishop Okoh highlight the need for fairness in resource management to combat conflict and insecurity in Nigeria
The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has called on federal and state governments to identify and punish sponsors of terror and hardship in Nigeria.
This includes individuals, groups, or organizations supporting armed non-state actors, regardless of their status or connections.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made this appeal during NIREC’s fourth quarterly meeting in Abuja.
Both leaders co-chair the council and emphasized the need for justice and accountability to address the impact of terrorism on Nigerian communities.
The leaders noted that years of terrorist activities have devastated livelihoods and displaced many from their ancestral lands. The Sultan urged Nigerians to seek divine intervention for peace and progress while cautioning politicians against amassing unnecessary wealth.
“No matter what you own in this world, it’s not yours. God has entrusted it to you temporarily to help others. Reach out to those in need within your communities,” the Sultan said.
He praised NIREC members and stakeholders, particularly the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for their dedication to fostering religious tolerance. He expressed hope for a better 2025, acknowledging Nigerians’ financial and social challenges in 2024.
Earlier, Archbishop Okoh highlighted Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, including oil, gas, solid minerals, and arable land, which could drive national development. However, he lamented that mismanagement and greed have turned these blessings into sources of conflict and insecurity.
“The exploitation of our resources has led to strife among ethnic and regional groups, as well as within communities vying for control. This insecurity has displaced people, caused loss of lives, and spread fear. As religious leaders, we must advocate for fairness, justice, and peace,” Okoh stated.
He stressed the importance of addressing corruption, impunity, and organized theft of public wealth. Strengthening the justice system, he said, is crucial for holding perpetrators accountable and safeguarding national unity and security.
NIREC’s Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, echoed these sentiments. He noted that insecurity has made Nigeria’s resources sources of pain instead of blessings.
He cited examples such as the environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta and the fear preventing Northern farmers from cultivating their lands due to banditry.
“Zamfara, once envisioned as a land of religious purity, has unfortunately become a hub for banditry due to gold exploitation. Insecurity has turned banditry into a lucrative enterprise for some traditional rulers and security agents,” Omonokhua added.
The SGF, Senator Akume, commended NIREC for promoting religious peace and tolerance, which he said has contributed to Nigeria’s socioeconomic growth. He assured the council that the government is committed to addressing challenges hindering national progress.
Akume highlighted measures President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took to boost the economy and create wealth. He urged religious leaders to support the administration’s efforts and use their influence to maintain peace and unity across the country.
Discussion about this post