Stronger domestic engagement ‘ll correct global fallacy against Nigeria – Akume

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has stressed the need for stronger domestic engagement amongst peoples to correct global misperceptions against the backdrop of United States designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”.

Akume who made this known at the second triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held in Abuja Wednesday themed: Collaboration of Inter-Religious Councils with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria” said while diplomatic steps have yielded progress, noted that much more work must be done in the short and long term.

While stating that inter-faith trust was crucial to driving national cohesion, Akume tasked NIREC on dangers of erosion of trust.

Continuing, Akume speaking on the implications of the erosion of trust between Nigeria’s major faith groups, said it poses one of the gravest threats to the country’s unity, informing that Nigeria was passing through one of its most delicate periods, marked by heightened political rhetoric, internal security strains, and degraded mutual trust that “Was almost ebbing into religious conflict” in recent months.

He said the recent violent incidents from Yelwata in Benue State to Eruku in Kwara, and attacks across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara, have deepened public anxiety, even as government intensifies rescue efforts and arrests of criminal elements responsible.

He assured of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to vigorously delivering on the constitutional mandate of welfare and security for all citizens.

He noted that while Christian and Muslim communities have both suffered devastating losses from insurgency, banditry, and communal violence, public narratives often wrongly portray the crises as one-sided.

He urged Nigerians to avoid framing violence solely along religious lines, insisting that such narratives deepen suspicion and undermine national cohesion.

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

Also speaking, immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said government needs both the Christians and Muslims to foster peaceful coexistence and national unity, noting that NIREC strives to reclaim the national unity and peace that can make Nigeria once more a home for all by monitoring and identifying potential hot spots for brewing religious intolerance and violence; preventing and managing conflict; Supporting people that are marginalized because of their religious identity through advocacy and capacity building.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who is a Co-Chairman of NIREC preached love for one another saying that God created all to live like brothers and sisters.

Sultan Sa’ad urged Nigerians to tolerate one another irrespective of our differences noting that God did not make mistake in creating us with different beliefs and attributes.

President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop (Dr) Daniel C. Okoh who was also Co-Chairmen of NIREC said NIREC remains a strategic national asset that enables peoples to speak with one voice against violence, condemn criminality irrespective of the victim’s identity. He said no religion justifies the taking of innocent lives.

In his opening remarks, Executive Secretary of NIREC, Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua said every human life was precious to God tasking both religious leaders and religious councils to work with government to ensure a final defeat in the battle with the terrorists and bandits.

Meanwhile, in a press statement released after the event signed by Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, it noted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume (CON) has underscored the importance of inter-faith trust in driving national cohesion, tasking the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) on the implications of the erosion of trust between Nigeria’s major faith groups, saying that it poses one of the gravest threats to the country’s unity.