Experts have charged the Federal Government to develop more political will to ensure that peace was achieved in the country.
A lecturer in the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Abuja, Prof Rafatu Abdulhamid gave the charge during a roundtable organised by the Centre for Peace and Development, Veritas University, Abuja.
The roundtable with the theme: When talk is not enough: a critique of interfaith dialogue and violent conflicts in Nigeria was supported by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa.
Prof Abdulhamid, in a paper delivered at the roundtable, noted that without peace, there cannot be stability, progress and prosperity.
These, he explained, go a long way to make a nation to take its pride of place in the committee of nations.
The lecturer urged religious leaders to sensitise their followers on the need for peaceful coexistence.
Hamid said: “The Nigeria’s religious atmosphere is volatile due to lack of tolerance and deep understanding of the tenets of both Christianity and Islam among some Christian and Muslim adherents. Since it is practically impossible to coerce the citizens to practice only one and the same religion, the only option available is to face the reality on ground which is to learn to live together in peace and harmony.
“The way to achieve this is to keep the door to dialogue always open with commitment. Without peace, there cannot be stability, progress and prosperity all of which go a long way to make a nation to take its pride of place in the committee of nations.”