Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has canvassed a sustainable religious and ethnic tolerance as a means of enhancing national unity.
He also commended the Nigeria Inter Religious Council ( NIRC) for promoting national unity through its advocacy in getting the various religions to work together for the growth of the country.
Gov Uzodimma who spoke at the maiden 2025 meeting of NIRC which held in Owerri was happy that since the inception of the body, there had been fewer clashes among religious organisations in Nigeria.
He spoke as the Co chairmen of NIRC. The Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria harped on the love for one another as the best way of forging religious harmony in Nigeria.
Uzodimma praised the Council for the theme of the meeting which is BUILDING MUTUAL TRUST FOR NATIONAL UNITY, saying it was apt as the country navigates through the complexities of ethnic,religious and political differences.
According to him, the theme is a “timely call to action because without love and trust, there can’t be no progress.”
Senator Uzodimma counselled religious leaders to use their influence to encourage love,respect, tolerance, and understanding among Nigerians.
He also urged the Inter Religious Council to remain resolute in leading the way to a united Nigeria where peace,love, and mutual trust are the bedrock of national pride.
While calling for support for the Tinubu administration, Uzodimma declared that the federal government has demonstrated through good governance that every Nigerian is a beneficiary of its economic reforms.
In his remarks, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed confidence in Nigeria emerging victorious from its present challenges.
He noted that without mutual trust, unity becomes an illusion, saying that “mutual trust is the soil from which peace, security, and national development must pass through.”
Archbishop Okoh, who is the co chairman of NIRC, commended Gov Hope Uzodimma for ” his commitment to provide quality leadership that promotes inclusiveness and lasting peace” and for his hospitality in hosting the meeting.
In his contribution, Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, harped on the need for religious tolerance in Nigeria.
The Sultan also urged Nigerians to love one another as a means of sustaining the unity of Nigeria and driving its development.
Earlier in his speech, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume identified trust as the bedrock of any cohesive society and an invisible trait that bind our hearts across ethnic, cultural and religious lines.
Senator Akume who represented the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted that the theme of the meeting; ‘BUILDING MUTUAL TRUST and NATIONAL UNITY’, could not be more timely, relevant or compelling than at the present time and situation we find ourselves in Nigeria.
He pointed out that without trust, even the most noble intentions may be misconstrued and distorted, but maintained that with trust, we can overcome our deepest differences, resolve the most complex conflicts and chart a shared path towards national consensus and greatness.
The SGF stressed that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council is a forum that brings leaders of the two major religions (Islam and Christianity) together, has a pivotal role to play by occupying a very unique position to speak to their respective congregation and influence peaceful co-existence as well as well command moral values.
He commended the leadership and members of NIREC for consistently rising to the occasion as a beacon of hope and moral compass and a bridge between faith in our diverse nation.
He thanked the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for playing host to the meeting and for the warm and peace ambience in the State.
The Secretary of NIREC, Rev. Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua said the Inter-religious council has a firm belief that the narrative of religious and ethnic based conflicts can be changed hence the theme of this first meeting “Building Mutual Trust for National Unity”.
He regretted that religious and ethnic varieties that ought to add beauty to our corporate existence has been weaponized to make us see one another as rivals, and called on our leaders to uphold the truth and fear of God for the children with a curriculum that does not destroy the authentic teaching of religion and history in the schools.
Goodwill messages in support of the peace project were given by the Abia State Governor, represented by his Commissioner for Local Government, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev (Dr) Lucius Ugorji, the former Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Ozichukwu Chukwu, the Co-chairmen of NIREC Youth Forum, among others respectively gave their good will messages.
