As part of efforts to deepen religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, religious leaders from across the Southwest region convened in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state to address pressing issues of cyberbullying targeting religious faiths.
The meeting which held on Friday, December 27 at the SSG Conference Room, Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, aims to strengthen the already existing inter religious harmony across the south west.
Leaders and representatives of the three major religions in Nigeria; Christianity, Islam, and Traditional worship, converged in Ibadan over the rising cases of controversial sermons on social media targeted at discrediting each others faiths.
The event began with interfaith prayers, symbolizing a collective commitment to peace and understanding among the three major religions.
The Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Interfaith Affairs, Reverend Femi Ibikunle disclosed that the meeting was convened to forestall any form of inter religious disaffection and disunity in the region.
Ibikunle maintained that, regardless of individual faiths, nearly every family in Oyo state and by extension, the entire south west region, has a mix of all the three religions.
Stressing on the need to educate religious followers properly with the knowledge of showing maximum respect for one another regardless of religious differences, Rev Ibikunle maintained that the leaders have the obligation to teach the right messages and shun all forms of divisive tendencies.
Ibikunle affirmed that no part of Oyo state and the south west region will allow religion to be used as a tool to divide it. He said the religious leaders unanimously align with the position of governor Seyi Makinde on the need to deepen mutual respect for interfaith harmony in the region against any form of radical teachings.
Similarly, Sheikh Akegbagold Taofeeq, who is the chairman of the interfaith council in the south west underscored the importance of mutual respect among religions, attributing past conflicts on social media to ignorance and lack of proper orientation among followers.
He maintained that peaceful coexistence will only be possible when all faiths show maximum respect for one another’s beliefs.
Rev. Apostle S.O. Oyelami JP in his remarks, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for promoting interfaith harmony in Oyo State saying: “His Excellency’s commitment to peace and inclusivity has set a remarkable example for leaders across the nation.”
Pa Yemi Elebuibon, a foremost and famous leader of traditional worshippers in Nigeria, highlighted how modern civilization has eroded religious values. He urged a return to traditional principles where mutual respect for one another was the order in the society, which according to him are the foundation for restoring harmony and mutual respect.
Some of the key resolutions reached at the end of the meeting include: a call for the government to implement strong policies and laws against cyberbullying of religious groups on social media.
The religious leaders also agreed to respect each other’s cultures and maintain clear boundaries between their various faiths while urging religious leaders to educate their followers on the need for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The leaders in a unanimous manner agreed to see all people of the Southwest as one family, regardless of religious differences while resolving to prioritize love, compassion, and unity over religious superiority.
The religious leaders equally charged the Southwest Governors Forum to adopt initiatives that promote interfaith harmony among them while calling for a uniform law across the south west states which provides sanctions for erring religious leaders or their followers who violates respect for other’s faiths.
Amir Abdullahi K. Ayodele, an Islamic leader from Osun State closed the meeting with a heartfelt prayer while reiterating the importance of seeing all sons and daughters from the six states in the south west as parts of a united family in God.