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Tag: tolerance

  • Ola Awakan’s play preaches tolerance, peaceful coexistence

    Ola Awakan’s play preaches tolerance, peaceful coexistence

    • By Kayowa Adegboyega

    Ola Awakan’s play, ‘The Madness that cures my Land,’ recently made a stop at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, where it preached tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

     According to Awakan, a broadcast journalist and dramatist, the play, which was directed by Ifeanyi Eziukwu, was staged at the institution’s Mass Communication Hall of the university to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Human Fraternity.

     The play, according to Awakan, is currently on a tour of higher institutions in the country.

     The playwright and convener of the tour, who is an alumnus of O.O.U, added that the performance of the play was his way of giving back to his alma mater as well as to educating the upcoming creative minds to dream big, go after their passion and imbibe the spirit of tolerance for society development.

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     The Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr Lanre Akinola noted that the feedback and reaction from the students who thronged the venue was very impressive.

     “It shows that people are still interested in theatre and what we need to do is to continue pushing our stories to the stage.”

     Furthermore, he commended the writer for his “unique style of using madness to uniquely tell a moral story”

     Also, Dr. Opeyemi Asaolu, a lecturer at the Performing Arts Department reiterated that despite people having low attention span these days, the play shows that the theatre can still be used as an agent of change when it is well directed towards a defined purpose and meets the needs of its audience.

  • The world in need of tolerance

    The world in need of tolerance

    • By Ike Willie-Nwobu

    Sir: In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolution 51/95) invited UN member states to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16, with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public.

    What is the need for tolerance today?

    Written into the identity of the United Nations over 70 years ago, the need to practice tolerance has never been more apt. Today, in a world buffeted by turbulence and change, tolerance remains a critical balancing act.

    All over the world, people are more connected thanks to technology. But this does not mean there is more understanding. In fact, the advent and proliferation of technology means that people are increasingly more disconnected and more disillusioned with one another.

    This disconnect, this disillusionment, has increasingly become more dangerous.

    Societies are ever more diverse – but intolerance is growing in many places.  Sectarian tensions can be found at the heart of many conflicts, with the rise of violent extremism, massive human rights violations, and cultural cleansing. And the biggest crisis of forced displacement since the Second World War has spawned hatred and xenophobia against refugees and others.

    Tolerance is much more than passively accepting the other.  It brings obligations to act, and must be taught, nurtured and defended.  Tolerance requires investment by states in people, and in the fulfillment of their full potential through education, inclusion, and opportunities.  This means building societies founded on respect for human rights, where fear, distrust, and marginalization are supplanted by pluralism, participation, and respect for differences.

    This is the message of the International Day of Tolerance – reflected in the UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, adopted in 1995.  Last year brought to an end the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), which was led and promoted by UNESCO across the world to promote tolerance.

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    Every November 16 presents a priceless opportunity to reflect on the gift that tolerance is in a world that is increasingly on the edge.

    Every November 16 also presents an opportunity to nurture and promote tolerance as if it were a very delicate flower, and in the process combat the actions of those who promote hate and intolerance to achieve their aims.

    Building tolerance means recognizing the mounting threat posed by those who strive to divide. At the root of the spiraling conflicts which uproots lives and turns communities upside down is intolerance which promotes the superiority of one people over another, shrinking critical space in the process.

    Promoting tolerance in Nigeria means bringing people from different ethnic groups and religions together and fostering peace and harmony between them, so they can always be able to resist those who sow chaos and death.

    That is the only way to lasting peace and security.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • Peace institute preaches tolerance among citizens

    Peace institute preaches tolerance among citizens

    The Director-General of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (lPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has advised Nigerians to embrace the culture of tolerance for peaceful coexistence.

    Ochogwu said in Abuja ahead of the commemoration of the 2023 International Day for Tolerance.

    The UN General Assembly had in 1996, adopted Resolution 51/95 proclaiming November 16, to mark the International Day for Tolerance.

    This action followed the adoption of a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by UNESCO’s Member States on November16, 1995.

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    “It” is a day we call on the people and the world to imbibe the culture of tolerance, to have an understanding of each other’s diversity and differences, so that we can manage ourselves and live peacefully

    “The international day for tolerance highlights the importance of living together irrespective of racial, religious, cultural and traditional differences.

    “It brings together people of diversity to live in a common world, where we have a common humanity and shared resources,” he said.

    According to him, tolerance is not a passive thing, it is an active thing that needs to be shared, taught, nurtured and nourished to ensure that people of different backgrounds and cultures are able to manage their differences and live peacefully as human beings.

    “Tolerance will also help to promote peace and development.

    “Therefore, the 2023 International Day for Tolerance is a clarion call for governments and people of the world to live together peacefully and tolerate one another irrespective of beliefs, religion, tribe, ethnicity and race,” Ochogwu said.

  • Ambode preaches sacrifice, tolerance

    As Christians in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Easter, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and sacrifice for one another, which Jesus Christ demonstrated throughout his period on earth.

    The governor, in his Easter message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the celebration of the resurrection of Christ which the season represents, should be a constant reminder for everyone to extend the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance.

    Ambode also commended Lagosians for the sustained peaceful co-existence that the State has experienced since the commencement of his administration despite being home to multi ethnic, cultural and religious diversities.

  • Akpabio preaches tolerance as defection hits PDP

    Former Senate Minority leader Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to avoid negative political antics as 2019 elections approach.

    According to him, there can be no progress without peace among people of diverse political leanings.

    Akpabio spoke at the reception for defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Odot,Nsit Atai Local Government.

    He condemned the destruction of campaign billboards in the state, and lauded members of APC for not following suit.

    Akpabio’s Media Office quoted the former governor: “If you look outside this venue, you’ll see posters of the outgoing Governor, Udom Emmanuel; they are not torn, it shows that APC is a peaceful party.

    ‘’While coming down here, on Airport Road, you’ll notice that billboards of APC are all torn. We are for peace; Nsit Atai is for peace. Let me assure you that they can only tear your posters and billboards but they cannot tear your votes in 2019.”

    He said APC would record a landslide victory in Akwa Ibom as reward for the goodwill done the state by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The senator said Akwa Ibom had benefited from the Federal Government through employment, projects, and social intervention programmes, such as N-Power. PDP did nothing for the state in 16 years.”

  • Group engages students on tolerance, peace

    Students of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) gathered at the left wing of ETF Building to share ideas on how to make next year’s general elections peaceful. It was at a seminar organised by Global African Christians for Liberty Initiative (GACLI) – a non-profit organisation working with young people to promote tolerance.

    Speaking on Tolerance and peace in view of the 2019 elections, GACLI President, Bishop Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, emphasised the importance of tolerance to creating a peaceful society, urging Nigerians to accept the differences in language, ethnicity and religions which he described as “God’s wish”.

    If the general election must be peaceful, Bishop Ezeugo said young people must always share and promote message of tolerance in their engagement with people who hold different views and opinions. He hailed the participants for making to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and admonished them not to vote along religious or tribal lines.

    He said: “As youths, we have the power to make a change. We may not be happy with how things are turning out in the country, but we must use our number to create future we desire. We must avoid voting for politicians because they are from our states, or because we practise the same religion. We should rather look at the policies they plan to implement in our country.”

    Bishop Ezeugo encouraged participants to be tolerant of one another, noting that “an eye for an eye” would only create a society that would not be inhabitable for a living.

    “Our diversity is what makes us who we are,” he said, adding: “Tolerance would help us to live without crisis, be it political, religious, tribal or otherwise.”

    The youthful clergyman pointed out that it was only through tolerance people could learn from one another’s culture, traditions and ideologies, which, he said, would facilitate understanding and foster social interactions free from conflict.

    He called for a separation between religion and politics, stating that religion should be personal conviction, while politics should be about the use of state power to govern.

    Spiritualism, he said, should have nothing to do with physical nature of politics, saying no religion should be used to determine government’s policies in a multi-religious society.

    He drew an instance from the situation in Myanmar, where the Rohingya tribe, the country’s Muslim minority population, is being persecuted by the predominantly Buddhist majority. Bishop Ezeugo said he believed the religious leanings of a country’s leader should not be reflected on his public policies.

    Driving conversation on Why Africa is poor, a Kenyan freedom advocate, Miss Linda Kavuka, engaged the participants on why societies in Africa should create their growths through free markets capitalism, which she said remain the better alternative to the socialist system in many countries.

    In the interactive session, a section of the participants believed Africa is not poor because of the abundance of natural resources, while others believed that lack of good leadership was the reason for poverty on the continent.

    Some participants were of the opinion that bad leadership gave rise to corruption and embezzlement of public funds that could be invested in the development.

    But quoting Ghanaian Economist, Prof George Ayittey, Miss Kavuka said Africa was poor because governments kept depending on aid from the West and, now, from China. At the end of the discussion, the participants came to an agreement that Africa did not need more aid that could plunge the continent into debts, but needed accountable leadership that will respect the rule of law, equality before the law, human rights, tolerance and peace.

    Emmanuel Oche of the Department of Political Science, urged the participants to live in peace with people of different backgrounds wherever they find themselves.

    He said societies could achieve prosperity when there is peace. To achieve the peace, he said spreading message of tolerance remained the key.

  • Governors advise Nigerians on spiritual rebirth, tolerance, unity

    GOVERNORS Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) have urged Nigerians to seek spiritual rebirth, imbibe the tenets of tolerance and unity for one another as a pathway of building a strong and united nation.

    Other governors, who felicitated with Muslims yesterday through their Eid-el-Fitri messages, are: Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Rivers), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Acting Niger State Governor Ahmed Mohammed Ketso.

     

    Ambode: imbibe tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness

    Ambode, in his Eid-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can begin a rebirth.

    He urged the citizenry to imbibe the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood, which the period of the holy month exemplifies.

    According to him, with brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among the citizens above all other things, Nigeria can overcome the numerous challenges confronting it.

    Ambode added that in the last three years, despite the seeming economic challenges, the nation has witnessed appreciable level of development.

    He expressed optimism that more can be achieved if all hands are on deck.

    He said: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion of the end of the holy month of Ramadan, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love for our country, love for our neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”.

     

    Ajimobi urges Muslims to seek spiritual rebirth

    Ajimobi congratulated the Muslim community on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fasting.

    The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, prayed to Allah to accept their supplications, even beyond the holy month.

    Calling for spiritual rebirth among the Islamic faithful, he enjoined them to imbibe the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed on the essence of Ramadan fasting.

    Ajimobi also admonished the faithful to use the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations to pray for the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country’s ethnic groups, and shun divisive tendencies capable of drawing back the country’s wheel of progress.

     

    Amosun preaches

     righteousness

    In his message, Amosun urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the values of Ramadan and continue to manifest them in their daily lives.

    Amosun, in the message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, said Ramadan, which was a time of fasting and charity, also demanded righteousness in all endeavours.

    “During Ramadan, which is one of the important pillars of Islam, we were obliged to fast, shun evil actions, speak right and show love to one another.

    “It also compelled us to engage in deep spiritual reflection and I believe that if we all continue in this practice after Ramadan, it will be not only to our benefit as individuals, but also as a nation,” he said.

     

    Gaidam rejoices with

    Nigerian Muslim Ummah

    Gaidam rejoiced with Nigerian Muslim Ummah, along with millions of the Muslim faithful all over the world.

    The governor’s message reads: “The Ramadan fasting that we observed over the last one month has no doubt taught us a lot of lessons.  It has instilled in us self-restraint and discipline, truthfulness, patience, humility, devotion and obedience to the Almighty Allah. It inculcates in us feeling of mercy and good character and above all, it protects the society from evils and vices. Ramadan fasting equally strengthens in the Muslim Community the values of love of justice, equity and unity among other virtues.  As a result of the lessons which are bequeathed to us through Ramadan fasting, we are expected to continue to demonstrate understanding and tolerance towards our neighbours and show compassion to those in need.  This occasion therefore affords us the opportunity to make sober reflection and an assessment of our conduct.”

     

    Ugwuanyi preaches love, peace, unity

    To Ugwuanyi, Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, must take advantage of the spiritual rebirth offered by Ramadan to promote love, peace, unity and progress.

    Ugwuanyi, in a message felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful for the successful completion of Ramadan.

    He emphasised the compelling need for Nigerians to continue to live in peace and harmony as well as offer special prayers for the country.

     

    Ayade salutes Muslims

    Ayade, in his message, called on Muslim faithful in the state and Nigeria to remain satisfied and render selfless service to their fellow countrymen and the nation as a panacea to heal a world in dire need of peace.

    Ayade averred that the celebration, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, offered an opportunity for all to break barriers and reach out to fellow human beings after meeting with the creator.

    A statement signed by his spokesperson, Mr. Christian Ita, quoted the governor as saying that: “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater for He knows all we do.

    “Having been refreshed by the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, which are essentially love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationships, it is expected that we employ a selfless approach in our dealings, irrespective of religious, political or tribal affiliations and remain content with what we have.”

     

    Wike:  pray for the unity, peace

    Wike congratulated Muslims for successfully completing this year’s Ramadan fast.

    He urged the Muslim Community to pray for the unity and peace of the nation as they celebrate.

    The governor called on the Muslim faithful to use the celebration to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of peace, security and friendship.

     

    Niger governor to

    Nigerlites: cultivate love

    Ketso urged his people to cultivate the habit of sharing, love and tolerance to all and sundry, irrespective of tribe, religion or political inclinations.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Maimuna Kolo, he enjoined the Muslims to continue with practising the teachings of Ramadan all year round for the progress and unity of the state and the country.

    Ketso, who called for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, governors and continued progress of Nigeria and Nigerians, assured Nigerlites that Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s led administration will keep providing more democratic dividends and conducive atmosphere for everyone in the state.

     

  • Adebule preaches tolerance, peaceful existence

    Lagos State deputy governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule has called on Lagosians to continue their existing peaceful relationship after Ramadan.

    Adebule, in her Sallah message, urged Muslims to imbibe the tenets of the Ramadan which according to her include fear of God, love for one ;;another, tolerance, equality, obedience, abstinence from sins, discipline and caring for the welfares of fellow human beings irrespective of religions and tribe.

    She advised them to strengthen their faith in Allah and ensure that they do not go back to sinful acts they may have abandoned during the Ramadan.

    “As we celebrate Eid-il-Fitr, remember to pray for our country and our dear state.  Let us unite together and build a strong nation that our children will be proud,” she said.

    The deputy governor, who noted that democracy in the country has come to stay despite its initial challenges, called for unity and peaceful co-existence among people of different religions and tribes, adding that Nigerians stand to benefit more as a united nation.

    While thanking leaders of various Islamic organisations for using the fasting period to pray for the state, Adebule urged residents to support and pray for the success of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.

    She said various reforms and urban renewal projects embarked upon by the state government would transform the state to a smart city and enhance the quality of lives of the people.

  • Osun Assembly, Lagos Speaker, Ashafa urge love, peace, tolerance

    Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Najeem Salam,  Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Lagos East Gbenga Ashafa have sent warm greetings to Christians over this year’s Easter celebration.

    The Osun State House assembly, in a statement by its Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said the Assembly acknowledges that Easter season is a sacred one filled with God’s love, blessings and redemptive power.

    It congratulates Christians in the state, urging them to celebrate moderately and never forget the lessons as well as the reasons for the season, which is the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Obasa urged Nigerians to imbibe spirit of love, peace and tolerance as taught and practised by Jesus Christ during his lifetime.

    The Speaker, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, said: “Jesus Christ preached and practised love, peace and tolerance during his lifetime and these are the qualities we should imbibe and practise to move this great country forward.”

    Ashafa, in a statement, said: “I join my Christian brothers and sisters in Lagos East Senatorial District and across Nigeria, as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

     

     

  • Easter: Ambode preaches tolerance, sacrifice

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and sacrifice for one another, stating that development and growth can only occur in the nation when all tribes and tongue unite and speak with one voice. He said this in his Easter message made available to reporters yesterday.

    The governor said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the country, adding that the season should serve as a reminder to the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn, his death and his resurrection.

    He said there was no better time for the country to unite together and eschew bitterness along ethnic and religious lines, as no challenge is insurmountable where unity of purpose thrives. “We must therefore see this period as a time that presents us the viable opportunity to think about how we can help to steer our nation back on the road to peace, stability and prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness,” the governor said.

    Governor Ambode commended Lagosians for their continued demonstration and promotion of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence in spite of existing ethnic, cultural and religious diversities. “No doubt, Nigeria will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country that we all desire if, as a nation, we eschew all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another.”

    While wishing all Lagosians a happy Easter celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined them to continue to support his administration to deliver more developmental projects that would make life more comfortable for them. He stated that the cooperation of residents for government programmes and policies was responsible for the massive development across the state in the last 34 months.