The programme commenced at 9:20am after registration of participants. The welcome address was delivered by the DG, IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita while the opening address was done by the Resident Representative, UNDP in Nigeria.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Ramalan Yero gave an opening remark in which he welcome participants and then thanked God for giving everyone present the opportunity to attend the programme. He said there was need for mutual respect for one another in order to live in peace. He then charged the participants of the programme to come out with resolves that would bring about lasting peace and tolerance towards one another and such resolves should be communicated down to the grassroot.
Sequel to the Governors remarks was the Keynote address which was delivered by Hon. Dr. (Mrs) Hannatu Ladi Ibrahim. In her address, Dr. (Mrs) H. L. Ibrahim said that corruption, nepotism selfishness and lack of love for one another are responsible for the lack of peace being witnessed in the country. She said that the drive to return peace back to the society must start from the home and women have a key role to play. She then urged everyone to stand for the truth because God would hold us accountable for our actions or inactions at the end.
PAPER PRESENTATION.
The first paper titled ‘’opportunities of Interfaith Conversations and Cooperation in Addressing Security Challenges in a Multi-Religious Society like Nigeria’’ was presented by Prof. M. O. Opeloye. During his presentation, he made mention of NIRECbeing a key player in the interfaith relationship in the country, but unfortunately
It had not been living up to expectation because it has not been holding its meetings like it is supposed to..
The second paper titled ‘’The Role of Religious Leaders in Combating Insecurity and Violence Caused in the Course of Faith Propagation by Religious Adherents’’ was presented by Dr. Khalid Aliyu.
After the paper presentations, a discussion session was held which was followed by experience sharing.
DAY 2.
The following papers were presented on the second day of the programme.
I. Negotiating Extreme Belief and Ideologies for Sustained Peace and Security: Exploring Areas of Christian Cooperation in Nigeria. By Bishop Mike Akpamii.
ii. Negotiating Extreme Belief and Ideologies for Sustained Peace and Security: Exploring Areas of Islamic Cooperation in Nigeria. By Prof. Muhammad El – Amin
iii. Real and Perceived Threats to Christian – Muslim Relation in Nigeria: Christian Point of View. By Dr. Adam Shaba.
iv. Real and Perceived Threats to Christian – Muslim Relations in Nigeria: Islamic Point of View.
Following the paper presentations, a discussion session was held.
At the end of all paper presentations and discussion, the following resolutions were made.
i. Nigeria is passing through time in the evolution as a nation, especially with issue of insecurity in the North East.
ii. The interfaith dialogue is a useful and valuable tool in addressing the present security challenge.
iii. The State Government should adopt urban planning strategies that will prevent Nigerian towns and cities from being divided along ethnic and religious lines.
iv. Religious education should be made compulsory in schools.
v. The State Government should permit the teaching of both Christian and Muslim religious studies in schools.
vi. There should be more collaboration between religious and traditional leaders in order to build sustainable peace in our communities.
vii. Training of religious leaders should be deepened, regulated and institutionalized by such organisation as CAN and SCIA.
viii. The interfaith religious education should be introduced during NYSC orientation.
ix. The inter and intra faith education should be encouraged among adherents of both religions as a way of fostering understanding and peace.
x. The NIRECshould be resourced and made mere active and relevant by having presence in every state and local government in the federation.
xi. Religious Leaders should stop being praise singers to politicians and become real conscience of society.
xii. Christian and Muslim should embark on joint projects that would foster cooperation between the faiths such as assisting prison inmates and victims of violence, rehabilitating terrorists and proprietors of violence.
xiii. That there is the need for the government to do something urgent about policing our porous borders, since many of the insurgents are not Nigerians.
Four literatures were given to participants at the programme viz:
1. China–Africa relations a Globalised World. By Joseph H. P Golwa and Paul Andrew Gwaza.
II. Peace and Security as Imperatives for National Development By Joseph H. P. Golwa
III. The Round Table Faith and Freedom Series 1 By Maji Peterx
IV. Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) of Nigeria Consolidated and Zonal Reports. By IPCR and UNDP.
At the end of the programme, the DG, IPCR and the UNDP representatives thanked participants for coming and wish everone safe journey back to their respective destinations.
Nigeria Inter-Religious Council
16th September, 2014
