The Adeyinka of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salau and the Head, Department of Communication and Language Arts, the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Ojebode, have called for recognition of traditional religion and tolerance among adherents of all religions for peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians.
They made the call at the maiden public lecture of the Fashola Oyinbo Ifa (FOI) Foundation held in Iseyin, Oyo State.
The monarch, Ojebode and the Oluwo Ifa Agbaye, Chief Fashola Olusoji Adeyemi, agreed that harmonious relationship thrives when the rights and preferences of all stakeholders are recognised and respected as long as they are within the ambits of the law of the land.
According to Chief Fashola, who is the founder and President of the foundation, it had become imperative for well-meaning Nigerians to preach against religious violence, as there is “only one divined God being served in different ways by adherents of different religions.”
Fashola, whose foundation seeks to promote religious tolerance and help the underprivileged in the society in the areas of education, health and empowerment, added that government at all levels must be just and fair to traditional worshippers, who he said have not been treated fairly by the political system and politicians.
Speaking on the topic “Ensuring Peaceful Inter-Religious Co-existence: Why Words Matter,” Prof. Ojebode maintained that if the country would continue to live in peace, adherents of different religions must caution members of their sects, weigh their words and put themselves in the position of others, noting that it had become important for people to watch their words, as the current gale of hate speeches in the country would bring harm to the peace and prosperity of Nigeria.”