The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NIREC

  • Akume: Inter-faith trust key to national cohesion, development

    Akume: Inter-faith trust key to national cohesion, development

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned that the erosion of trust between Nigeria’s major religious communities poses a grave threat to national unity, urging stronger collaboration among faith leaders to prevent conflicts and rebuild confidence.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the second triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Akume said Nigeria is in a delicate period marked by “heightened political rhetoric, internal security strains, and degraded mutual trust” that had recently “almost ebbed into religious conflict.”

    He cited violent incidents in Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara States, noting that the public anxiety generated by such attacks must be addressed through collective action and a balanced national narrative.

    According to him, both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered devastating consequences of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, and it is misleading to frame the crises as affecting only one side.

    “The point is not to engage in a scorecard of pain,” he cautioned, “but to underscore that violence in Nigeria is not monolithic. Both major faith groups bleed when any Nigerian is killed.”

    Akume stressed that an inter-faith approach to peacebuilding is now “not only ideal but necessary” to restore confidence and prevent opportunistic actors from exploiting religious sentiments.

    The SGF expressed concern over Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. government, saying the development underscored the need for deeper internal engagements to correct global misperceptions.

    He said while diplomatic efforts were yielding progress, more work must be done in the short and long term.

    He praised NIREC’s 26-year partnership with successive governments, describing inter-religious councils as “vital bridges” capable of dispelling misconceptions, mediating conflict, and strengthening the social fabric.

    He assured that the Tinubu administration would deepen support for the council, especially as ongoing reforms begin to improve the economy.

    Outlining priority areas for collaboration, Akume pointed to inclusive policymaking, early-warning conflict systems, joint peacebuilding, and promotion of justice and the rule of law.

    He emphasised the education of young Nigerians to resist hate propaganda and extremist narratives.

    On sovereignty, he maintained that while international cooperation is welcome, “Nigerians must work out Nigerian solutions,” adding that the government remains fully committed to protecting every community irrespective of religious affiliation.

    Akume disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has established a new US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security in which NIREC leaders are expected to play significant roles as part of broader non-kinetic peace strategies.

    He urged NIREC members to use their closed-door session to speak frankly and “reject the voices of division” in favour of justice, compassion, and unity.

    “Nigeria will be stronger, better, and enjoy lasting peace if we collectively shame the peddlers of hatred and disunity,” he said.

  • NIREC endorses Ambode

    The  Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) yesterday stressed the need to deepen religious harmony in the state.

    They also endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office.

    The clerics spoke at the first quarterly meeting of religious leaders and faith-based organisations in Alausa.

    NIREC Lagos State Chapter Chairman Dr Tajudeen Yusuf said the endorsement was in recognition of the modest efforts of Ambode in infrastructural development and the maintenance of peace in Lagos.

    According to Yusuf, Ambode’s approval of the existence of NIREC, not only at state level, but across the 57 local government and local councils development areas of the state, has ensured that issues capable of triggering religious crisis in Lagos, are nib in the bud.

    The religious leader observed that the Boko Haram’s crisis in the northwest could have been avoided had NIREC at the national lived up to expectation.

    He assured that religious bodies would rally around Ambode to actualise his second term ambition, adding “one good term deserves another”.

    His co-chairman Alexander Bamgbola, who doubles as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman said Lagos is a state that enjoys the special grace of God.  Bamgbola, who described Ambode as a listening governor, called for the support of the government to enable it do more.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr Abul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef urged the religious leaders to use the pulpits to preach love and encourage their followers to support policies aimed at improving the welfare of all.

    According to the Abdul-Lateef, while NIREC at the national level has been unable to function effectively, Lagos has continued to show example of how Christians, Muslims and other beliefs should co-exist.

    The commissioner thanked the religious leaders for endorsing Ambode.

    He assured that the state government would continue to ensure that Lagos continues to stand out.

  • Ambode orders census of worship centres in Lagos

    Ambode orders census of worship centres in Lagos

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has directed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council ( NIREC ) to conduct an enumeration of religious centres across the state.

    Ambode gave the directive while inaugurating 798 members of the NIREC appointed for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.

    He was represented by Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs at the inauguration.

    “One of the core functions you are going to discharge is the collation of religious institutions at the local government level.

    “You must ensure that you compile a list of all churches, all mosques, all faith-based organisations and forward same to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    “I must also urge you to work closely with the local government chairman and all other officials at the local government level.

    “You are working directly with NIREC at the state level.

    “Always make sure that you relate any matter that is beyond your capacity to the state NIREC and through the state NIREC, it will get to my office as the governor of Lagos State.

    “Your meetings will hold quarterly and I urge you to have extra-ordinary meetings in cases of emergencies.

    “I urge you to cooperate with the local government officials and do your best to promote peace and orderliness at the local government level.’’

    Speaking earlier, the Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the state NIREC, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said the inauguration of the council at the local government level was a proactive step taken by the government.

    He said that this would ensure continued peaceful co-existence among all people of diverse religious and ethnic groups in the state.

    “Today, we are inaugurating the members of NIREC at grassroots and it is a proactive step on the part of our governor to ensure that the monumental development that Lagos State is witnessing today is not taken for granted.

    “Muslims and Christians are in a better position to ensure that we continue to have peace and inter-religious dialogue as well as peaceful co-existence in Lagos State.

    “We are, by this inauguration, taking inter-religious dialogue to the grassroots so that when crises arise, they are quickly nipped in the bud,’’ Yusuf said.

    Also speaking, the co-chairman (Christian) of the state NIREC, Dr Israel Akinadewo, remarked that religious leaders must continue to educate their followers, especially the vulnerable ones at the grassroots.

    “A Christian leader is a Christian whose actions and inactions are not only Christ-like but serves as a good example to younger Christians.

    “Also in a country like Nigeria and irrespective of what they do for a living, many people are majorly Christians and Muslims.

    “Within the NIREC, the people respect the opinions of their leaders, who they refer to as the representatives of God.

    “Hence their views on any matter are taken very seriously.

    “Religious leaders should not encourage wars, hatred and vengeance.

    “They are to be firm in the discipline of any of their followers who take steps that work contrary to Godly teachings,’’ Akinadewo said.

    The State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami, commended Ambode for running a community-based government of inclusion by bringing governance down to the grassroots.

    Folami said that by taking the NIREC activities to the grassroots, it would be easier for government to nip any crisis in the bud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 14 persons, comprising seven Muslims and seven Christians each, were appointed into the NIREC in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.

  • Emir to Jonathan: revive NIREC

    Emir to Jonathan: revive NIREC

    The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to do everything possible to resuscitate the Nigerian Inter-religious Council (NIREC) to promote peace, unity and progress in the country.

    The Emir, who led traditional rulers from the Northwest to receive President Goodluck Jonathan at the Hassan Katsina House in Kaduna, said the unity of the country could best be promoted if more attention is given to the security of lives and property.

    The Emir said: “I want to make a passionate appeal to the government to resurcitate the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council at the national level. After this, there should be the establishment of branches of NIREC in all the 36 states of the Federation.”

    Jonathan told the traditional rulers that the unity rally embarked upon by the PDP was not a campaign rally, but efforts aimed at reconciling aggrieved members of the party.

    Also speaking, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the President has delivered on his promise to the people of the zone, adding that an additional 215 megawwats power project would be completed and commissioned in November by the government as a way of boasting power supply to the zone.

    The Vice President also announced that N10 billion was approved by the Federal Government for the Great Green Wall to address the challenges of erosion, adding that the rail line from Abuja to Kaduna was 70 per cent completed and the Kaduna to Kano project was in progress.

     

  • Killings, a national tragedy, say Muslims

    Killings, a national tragedy, say Muslims

    Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit and The Criterion, a group of Muslim Women in business and professions, have described the series of killings and bombings in the country as a national tragedy.

    NIREC Executive Secretary Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told reporters in Ibadan yesterday that he was pworried that the killings were on the increase, despite all efforts to curtail it.

    “It is a national tragedy which defies all logic and civility,’’ he said.

    Oloyede, who doubles as the Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), urged all Nigerians across all denominations to jettison political and religious propaganda.

    The religious leader said that the nation was going through a trial and “all hands must be on the deck to collectively combat these calamities’’.

    “We must all rescue our nation from impending doom and ensure that we restore peace and sanity in our country’’ Oloyede said.

    Oloyede called on men of goodwill to do all within their powers to curtail the menace which has taken a dangerous dimension of killing innocent school children.

    “While we appreciate the efforts of government and other security agencies, we urge them to be more tactical and strategic in confronting the unfortunate development,” he said.

    Oloyede equally called on all parents, to take good care of their children and prevent them from taking hard drugs or join a bad gang, which in most cases, the root cause of the problem.

    He commiserated with the families of those killed and called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the act.

    MSSN Lagos State Area Unit Amir (President), Kaamil Kalejaiye enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to take strategic and dynamic approach towards arresting the perpetrators of inhuman acts.

    Kalejaiye said “The spate of unjustified killings have now gone much diabolic that we never can tell where next the subsequent attack would occur. Neither the numbers, nor those killed appears to be important. Lives, no longer seem to count for much. They have become sheer statistics reeled off at conference to authenticate information.

    “We condemn these killings and all forms of killing of innocent souls, we state once again that those who are trying to paint Islam bad and black will meet their waterloo very soon.

    “We however pour a heart wrenching condolence on the life of innocent souls that were lost in Yobe, Borno and all other places in Nigeria where these attacks are taking place”.

    Government, Kalejaiye said has the responsibility to not only protect citizens, but to make them feel safe.

    According to him, to win the war against insurgents, personal and political considerations have to receive less attention than millions of lives terrorists place at risk. He said: “The indiscriminate attacks put everyone at risk, terrorists and their supporters alike. Improvement on intelligence gathering and provisions for the security agencies would make the volatile parts of Nigeria peaceful again”.

    The Criterion’s National President, Saudat Abu Baqi said mothers are weeping for the loss of innocent souls for no fault of theirs.

    “It is saddening that innocent promising children could be cut down in their prime while in search of knowledge,’’ she said.

    According to her, the wanton killings have dampened the sense of security and brought instead fears and grieves of attacks.

    The Criterion called on the federal government to deploy all machineries at its disposal to preserve human lives, restore human dignity and project Nigeria as a country safe for all.

    “We also call on well-meaning Nigerians, regardless of their religious or cultural leaning, to shun personal bigotry and join hands with relevant authorities in finding solution to the scourge,” she said.

     

     

     

     

  • Islamic groups mourn Adegbite’s death

    Islamic groups mourn Adegbite’s death

    Various Islamic groups on Saturday paid glowing tribute to late Dr AbdulLateef Adegbite, describing his death as a big loss to the Muslim community and the nation.

    Adegbite, who until his death on Friday, was the Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) died in Lagos at the age of 79.

    The groups in their various condolence messages described him as an exemplary leader and a lover of peace whose death had created a vacuum in the community.

    The groups include the NSCIA, Nigeria Inter Religious Council, (NIREC), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, (MSSN), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN)

    Others are Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organisations in the USA (NCNMO) and the National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations (NACOMYO).

    In his condolence message, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, National Coordinator of NIREC and Adegbite’s deputy at NSCIA, said “ we have lost an illustrious son of Africa’’.

    “As an academician, an erudite scholar and season lawyer, a political figure, a religious leader and founder of many Islamic societies and groups, the religious community has lost a rare gem,’’ Oloyede said.

    In his message, MURIC National Coordinator, Prof Ishaq Akintola said Adegbite lived a life of devotion and piety.

    “He promoted the golden qualities of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence even at the peak of worst crises and irrational provocation.’’

    Akintola said that Adegbite was a team player who steered the affairs of the Muslim Ummah with dexterity, adding that “Nigeria has lost a gem’’.

    In his tribute, national President of UNIFEMGA, Dr Abdulwahab Egbewole, said the death of Adegbite should be a lesson that “we need to do our best to serve Allah and leave our footprints in all the areas we may find ourselves’’.

    He described the deceased as “a consummate administrator, committed academic, focused religious leader, concerned community leader and a bridge builder’’.

    The MMPN Chairman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the demise of Adegbite was a great loss to the Muslim Ummah.

    He added that the deceased was instrumental to the formation of many professional Islamic organisations in the country with the aim of projecting Islam through their professional callings.

    NACOMYO said the death of Adegbite was a big loss to the Ummah.

    Mas’ud Akintola, NACOMYO Coordinator in Oyo State said Adegbite’s death had created a big vacuum for the Ummah and prayed Allah to grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

    Adegbite was born in Abeokuta, Ogun, on March 20, 1933 and attended Methodist School, Abeokuta and Kings College, Lagos.

    He co-founded and was the first national president of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria.

    Until his death, he was the Secretary General of NSCIA, and a member of Nigeria Inter Religious Council. (NAN)

  • NIREC to hold inter-faith confab

    The Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) is planning to hold a youth summit on mutual co-existence, religious harmony and inter-faith dialogue.

    The summit is aimed at charting a way forward and seeking prayers for the country’s progress ahead of its 52nd independence anniversary.

    NIREC’s National Coordinator/Executive Secretary Professor Is-haq Oloyede urged Christians and Muslims to set aside September 28 and 30 to pray for Nigeria.

    He said: “We… call on Muslims and Christians to organise special prayers on September 28 and 30.

    “Let our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters dedicate the two days for supplications and earnest prayers for God to liberate Nigeria from the evil pervading the land.”