To protect the rights of citizens, the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, has reiterated the commitment of the agency to entrench and deepen a culture that respects the freedom of religion and beliefs in Nigeria.
Ojukwu, who made this commitment at the public presentation of the survey report on the violation of freedom of religion and beliefs in some selected states of the country, sponsored by the King and Allah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue, appealed to the conscience of Nigerians, that there is no gain in fanning the embers of discrimination and hatred for any religion.
According to him, religion is a sensitive and sacred matter that should be handled with the utmost respect and profound regard. He called on Nigerians to respect the sanctity of each other’s religion irrespective of their differences, adding that the two major religions in the country preach peace, togetherness and love for one another.
Ojukwu, who lamented why the country has continued to witness avoidable cases of religious intolerance, which in some cases has led to the killing of innocent citizens and the destruction of valuable properties, also lauded that adherents of various religious bodies should know that Nigeria is a secular state. He further stressed that Section 10 of the Constitution stated that the “government of the Federation or a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion “.
“Freedom of religion has long been a significant concern globally, and Nigeria’s history of religious tensions, especially between Christians and Muslims, has led to profound challenges, including loss of lives, displacements and ongoing anxiety. This religious extremism poses a substantial threat to Nigeria’s stability and development”, he said.
In his keynote address, the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, said that despite appropriate legislation seeking to enhance the freedom of worship and practice among believers of different religious groups in the country, Nigeria still witnesses different forms of conflicts and religious intolerance.
He lamented that these conflicts, which have led to the destruction of lives and properties in different parts of the country, have continued to impact negatively on the well-being of citizens, residents, and general developments of the country.
While cautioning that if these situations are left without developing deliberate policies and mechanisms for interventions, Nigeria may end in civil strife that may affect its existence as one country, the director general also pledged to partner stakeholders in entrenching a culture of respect for freedom of religion and belief that can foster a better understanding among citizens.