Religious
Peace Across Faiths: Minna Town Hall Strengthens Nigeria’s Commitment to Religious Freedom
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
Faith and Freedom Africa extended its nationwide advocacy for peaceful coexistence to Minna, Niger State, on Saturday, December 4, 2025, where religious leaders, scholars, civil society actors, women groups, and community influencers gathered at Haske Luxury Hotel for a town hall meeting on the theme “Promoting Religious Freedom as a Human Right in Nigeria.
The meeting began on an informal yet reflective note when a participant recalled a widespread perception: religious leaders often sit harmoniously at national events but return to their communities divided. Changing that narrative, organisers said, lies at the heart of Faith and Freedom Africa’s mandate. The organisation seeks to “bring hearts together,” strengthen coexistence, and dismantle entrenched stereotypes that impede mutual understanding across faiths.
Faith and Freedom Africa’s Country Representative, Mr. Felix Joseph Samari, led the conversation with a compelling reminder that understanding religious freedom must go beyond theory. He highlighted two responsibilities for contemporary society: creating a future where peaceful coexistence becomes a legacy, and strengthening public understanding of the constitutional and moral foundations of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).
He restated that religious freedom is protected by Section 38 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. “These instruments guarantee every individual the right to adopt, practice, change, or manifest their religion without fear of persecution,” Samari emphasised. The real challenge, he said, lies not in the absence of laws but in the public’s limited understanding of these rights and how they apply in everyday life. “Freedom of religion does not protect any particular faith. It protects people. It is a human right, not a religious privilege.”
Participants acknowledged Niger State’s long-standing reputation as a hub of spiritual, cultural, and political influence. With vibrant Muslim and Christian communities, the state was described by organisers as a “power state”—a region whose history of coexistence positions it to shape national conversations on tolerance. Samari noted that Niger’s demographic realities make it a natural space for dialogue: “If we understand our differences and recognize each other’s uniqueness, we can take the best from every group.”
A major highlight of the town hall was the presentation by renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu, who offered deep reflections on genuine tolerance. He stressed that Nigeria’s diversity is not a burden but a divine design that becomes an asset only when mutual respect is embedded in the culture. According to him, tolerance is not about pretending differences do not exist but about acknowledging them with maturity, honesty, and fairness. He condemned stereotyping based on religious identity, describing it as a dangerous seed that often germinates into hatred and violence.
“Religion only becomes a source of conflict when people manipulate it for domination or self-interest,” Sheikh Lemu said. “True faith inspires goodness, not aggression. When people understand and practice justice, fairness, and the principle of ‘live and let live,’ they strengthen the moral foundations of society.”
The interactive session, moderated by Dr. Loungi, allowed participants to share practical experiences of coexistence. Many narrated real-life situations that reflected how peace thrives quietly in many neighbourhoods.
One participant recounted the story of a Christian mother who consulted a Muslim family friend when her son considered converting to Islam. Rather than taking advantage of the situation, the Muslim family encouraged patience, dialogue, and mutual respect—allowing the young man to make an informed decision free from coercion.
Another testimony came from the Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN)—represented at the event by Aisha Lemu, Hauwa Kulu Abdullahi, and Aishat Suleiman—who narrated how the organisation helped two Christian children who had dropped out of school for financial reasons. FOMWAN ensured their return to school, asking nothing in return and making clear that humanitarian service transcends religious boundaries.
Representatives from Women in Politics, including Dr. Hamzat Adebowale of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, also participated in the deliberations. Delegates from WORICAN, including Mrs. Anabueze Ismail Nwafor, Esther (Treasurer), and Mrs. Grace, as well as OAIC representatives Mrs. Elizabeth Oyerinde and Rachel Akangbe, contributed meaningful insights into community-level coexistence challenges and opportunities.
A powerful goodwill message came from human rights activist and Director of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Niger State, Dr. Nuhu Muhammad. He praised the organisers for creating an inclusive platform and emphasised that human rights and religion are not in conflict.
“As a human rights defender, I celebrate this space where people of different faiths come together in the spirit of peace, respect, and shared humanity,” he said. “Our various religions teach compassion, justice, and dignity—values at the heart of human rights. When we stand together across faith lines, we send a powerful message that unity is stronger than division. May this program inspire us to build communities where everyone is safe, respected, and valued. May peace be upon us all.”
In a segment on cultural and human diversity, Samari reminded participants that differences are part of human design, noting that even children from the same parents have unique identities. Recognising diversity, he said, allows societies to harness the strengths of all groups. He added that violations of religious freedom often stem from ignorance rather than malice and can occur not only between religions but also within the same religion across denominations or sects. This, he argued, reinforces the universality of FoRB and its importance for national development.
Unlike typical interfaith engagements that focus mainly on elites, Faith and Freedom Africa’s town hall deliberately centred everyday community voices—women, youth, neighbourhood leaders, and local influencers. “You are the ones who interact with people daily,” a facilitator said. “You see what happens in homes, markets, neighbourhoods, and schools. You are the real drivers of coexistence.”
At the close of the meeting, Rev. Emmanuel Gabriel read the communiqué for adoption and delivered the final remarks, commending participants for their sincerity and commitment to peace.
As the town hall meeting was moderated by Dr Longji Dambok concluded, participants reaffirmed their dedication to promoting religious freedom, strengthening community bonds, and ensuring that all Nigerians—regardless of faith—can live, worship, and thrive without fear. “If we fail to appreciate the uniqueness of others, we miss the benefits that diversity brings,” one speaker remarked. “But if we embrace our differences, Nigeria will be happier, stronger, and better for future generations.”
The Minna Town Hall ended with a shared pledge to continue spreading the message of peace and defending the dignity and rights of all citizens, inspiring hope that Nigeria can rise above its divisions and model coexistence for the world.
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Religious
Faith Must Shape Nigeria’s Renewal, Says CSN Secretary General in New Year Message
By Abah Anthony John
The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, has called on Nigerians to allow their faith shape personal conduct, civic responsibility, and national renewal, stressing that genuine transformation of the country must begin with renewed consciences rooted in God. js">
In his New Year message titled “Faith at the Service of the Nation”, released on January 1, 2026, Fr. Banjo reflected on the Christian understanding of time, describing it not merely as a sequence of days but as “the sacred space in which God acts for our salvation.”
He reminded Nigerians that through the Incarnation, when Christ entered human history, time itself was redeemed and given meaning.“Whatever resolutions we may make at the beginning of this year, the most fundamental must be the resolve never to live our time without God at its centre,” he said, noting that time “only finds its meaning when it is lived with God within it.”
The Catholic priest explained that Christmas fundamentally changed humanity’s identity, moving believers “from slavery to sonship.”
According to him, through Christ’s life, death and resurrection, Christians became sons and daughters of God, a new identity that carries concrete responsibilities in daily life.
“Faith that does not shape life has not yet been fully received,” he said.
Fr. Banjo emphasized that living as children of God requires courage and responsibility, especially in challenging times.
He said this identity demands a life free from fear and panic, grounded in the assurance of God’s abiding presence.
“The child of God lives without panic, because God is never absent,” he noted, urging Nigerians to recognize one another as brothers and sisters and to reject divisions based on tribe, religion or social status.
He also underscored the importance of family life, describing marriage as “a covenant of love and fidelity” marked by patience, forgiveness and mutual respect.
According to him, giving God a place in daily life through prayer, charity, honest work and care for family is essential, because divine sonship “is not an idea to admire, but a life to be lived.”
Turning to national life, the CSN Secretary General said the identity of Nigerians as children of God places a moral obligation on them as citizens.
He stressed that loving Nigeria goes beyond criticizing its failures and requires personal commitment to what is right.
“Nations are renewed when consciences are renewed,” he said, adding that renewal does not begin only in government offices but in the daily choices of ordinary citizens.
Fr. Banjo called for honesty, fairness and respect in the use of public resources, warning that the abuse of roads, schools, hospitals and public utilities reflects a deeper neglect of conscience.
“What we destroy in public space reveals what we neglect in conscience,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to prepare responsibly for the 2027 general elections, advising citizens to make choices guided by truth, conscience and the common good rather than by money, ethnic loyalty or divisive rhetoric.
He challenged public servants to reject bribery and abuse of office, while calling on traders, artisans and workers to act with integrity, reminding them that their labour is ultimately offered to God.
Highlighting the role of families and education, Fr. Banjo described the family as the “basic building block of society,” noting that the strength of a nation is shaped in the quality of its homes.
He urged parents and teachers to see their role as a “sacred trust,” forming consciences through faith, discipline, honesty and hard work. Quoting Proverbs 22:6, he said proper formation of children quietly but decisively shapes the future of society.
He paid special attention to young people, warning that youth is not merely preparation for the future but a decisive moment of responsibility.
He urged them to choose discipline over recklessness and to reject drugs, crime and other destructive paths that promise quick freedom but end in loss. “A disciplined youth is a nation’s quiet revolution,” he said.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s difficulties in the past year, including economic hardship, insecurity and social tension, Fr. Banjo said the New Year itself is a sign of hope.
However, he cautioned that such hope must be active and responsible. “Hope becomes credible when it is translated into responsibility,” he said.
He concluded by praying for God’s strength and guidance, expressing confidence that if Nigerians live authentically as sons and daughters of God, the New Year can become “a turning point in the renewal of our nation,” marked by justice, peace and hope.
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News
Gov Ododo Reaffirms Commitment To Religious Harmony, Peace, Unity
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering peace, unity, and mutual coexistence across the three senatorial districts of the state. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
The Governor gave the assurance while addressing participants at a One-Day Peace Conference organized by the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative in Okene.
The conference, themed “Essence of Peace and Unity Among the Muslim Ummah,” was held at Ohinoyi’s Palace in Okene Local Government Area.
The meeting brought together Islamic scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and stakeholders from across Kogi State to deliberate on peaceful coexistence and collective responsibility in strengthening societal harmony.
Governor Ododo commended the organizers for championing a platform that reinforces unity within the Muslim Ummah while also fostering tolerance across ethnic and religious divides.
He emphasized that sustainable development is impossible without peace, stating that Kogi State has earned recognition as a model of peaceful coexistence through the mutual efforts of citizens and the government’s proactive peace-building strategies.
He noted that No society grows in an environment of hatred and division. Peace is the foundation on which we can build prosperity, and unity is the bond that keeps us together as one people.
He further highlighted the role of government and religious leadership in securing long-term peace, noting that security is not achieved by force alone but through deliberate relationship-building and inclusive engagement.
“Our major responsibility is to provide security for our people, and in providing that security you must ensure unity of the land. One of the ways of guaranteeing peace and unity is by deploying non-kinetic methods of resolving issues,” he said.
“Today we have come to meet with our people and the Islamic leaders to engage them constructively on the need for us to give peace a chance, and hence the unity of our state, our land, and our people, so that we can all sleep with our two eyes closed.”
“I have just finished a meeting with all Islamic Scholars in Ebiraland and the Kogi Central Senatorial District, of course, we are working on that of the West and the East, then the Christian and Traditional aspect as well. To ensure peace, you must engage all critical stakeholders, and the Chief Imams, Sheikhs, and Ustaz are leaders the people believe in Islam, so we must work with them.”
“We are happy that we are all ready to give peace a chance in Kogi State.”
Earlier in his goodwill message, Chairman of the Ebira Muslims Peace Initiative Committee, Ustaz Ismail Obosi Suleiman, stressed the importance of unity among various Islamic sects across Ebiraland. He emphasized that while disagreements are natural, hostility is a choice, citing Qur’an 3:103: “Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.”
Suleiman called for inter-sect dialogue, focus on shared values, and rejection of political manipulation that seeks to worsen divisions. He urged religious leaders to model respectful engagement and promote authentic Islamic teachings to help dispel misconceptions among followers.
He reaffirmed that peace remains the foundation for a prosperous Ebiraland and called on all groups to work collectively toward sustaining unity.
The One-Day Peace Conference concluded with a renewed commitment by Islamic scholars, government representatives, and community stakeholders to strengthen peaceful coexistence and ensure that Kogi State continues to thrive as a united society.
Other dignitaries who shared their views on peaceful coexistence are the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty Alh Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje and the provost of National Defence College Professor Adam Okene Ahmed
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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News
Yuletide: Oruma Calls on Christian Faithfulls to Dedicate the Season to Prayers for Nigeria
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The National President Igala Centre for Development Advocate, Prince Musa Oruma calls on Igala Sons and daughters to inclulcate love and unity as a recipe for progress of Igala Nations while dedicate this festivity period to prayer for meaningful progress in Igala Nation, and Nigeria as a whole. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Oruma made the call in a Christmas greetings message he personally signed and circulated.
He admonished especially the Christian faithful to dedicate the season to prayers for Nigeria and Nigerians, asking God Almighty to intervene positively in the affairs of the nation and to grant the country lasting peace and stability in the face of insecurity.
He further told Christians to also remember our leaders at all levels in their prayers, seeking divine guidance, wisdom, and courage to enable them to govern with fairness, compassion, and a sincere commitment to national unity and development.
Oruma wished Christians in Kogi State, Nigeiria and across the world a joyous Christmas celebration while praying that the season would bring renewed hope, strong faith, peace and abundant blessings to families nationwide.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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