As part of strategic efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among diverse religious groups, the Oyo State Interfaith Office has disclosed plans to host a gathering of prominent religious leaders on Friday, December 27.
The event, billed to hold at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, on Friday December 28, aims to bring together Christian, Muslim, and traditional faith leaders to discuss strategies for deepening unity and harmony in the state.
Themed “Unity in Diversity: Strengthening Peaceful Coexistence Through Dialogue,” the Special Assistant on Interfaith Affairs to Governor Seyi Makinde, Reverend Femi Ibikunle, who is the convener, said the meeting aims to address growing concerns over interfaith tensions and provide a platform for collaborative efforts in conflict resolution, community development, and moral reorientation.
Rev. Ibikunle, emphasized the critical role religious leaders play in shaping societal values stressing that Oyo State remains a ‘melting pot of cultures and religions.’
“For us to thrive, we must embrace our diversity as a source of strength, not division. This dialogue is a step towards building sustainable peace in our dear state,” Ibikunle said.
He commended the unrelenting efforts and commitments of governor Seyi Makinde to peace and tranquility across the state.
Rev Ibikunle also called for more grassroots efforts to bridge divides saying: “It is our collective responsibility to educate our followers about peaceful coexistence. We should focus on shared values like compassion, honesty, and service to humanity rather than the things that divide us, ” he added.