As part of activities marking the 2025 World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting public peace and religious tolerance, insisting that meaningful development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of harmony.
World Interfaith Harmony Week was established by the United Nations in 2010 to encourage dialogue and goodwill among different religious communities. It is celebrated annually from February 1–7 to promote peace and cooperation across faith lines.
Speaking to Westernmirror.com.ng after an interfaith dialogue held on Thursday, February 6 in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Governor Seyi Makinde represented by his Special Assistant on Interfaith Affairs, Reverend Femi Ibikunle, highlighted the critical role of peace in socio-economic advancement.
He urged religious leaders to continue promoting mutual understanding among their followers and always commit themselves to public peace and harmony at all levels of the society.
“No society can thrive in an environment of division and strife. Our strength lies in our diversity, and it is through unity that we can achieve the progress we all desire,” Rev. Ibikunle stated.
The governor’s aide disclosed that the World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed globally in the first week of February, serves as a platform for promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.
The event witnessed the convergence of leaders across different spectrum including religious and political lines in Ibadan to discuss ways to deepen interfaith relations and curb religious conflicts in order to achieve the desired development.
Rev. Ibikunle commended Governor Makinde’s administration for its strategic approach to promoting religious harmony and peaceful coexistence across the state.
According to the SA, one of the key policies under Makinde’s administration is the establishment of platforms for continuous dialogue between religious leaders.
“Governor Makinde believes in an inclusive governance model where all faiths are respected and given a voice. Through interfaith engagements, we have been able to resolve disputes amicably and strengthen the bond among our people,” the governor’s aide noted.
He added that the state government has supported religious tolerance through the implementation of policies that ensure fair representation of all faiths in public offices and government-sponsored programs.
“There is no room for discrimination under this administration. Appointments and policies reflect the diversity of our people, and that has helped to maintain peace.
“Beyond policy-making, Governor Makinde’s administration through the Interfaith Office has also invested in community-based programs aimed at educating residents on the importance of peaceful coexistence. Religious leaders have also been engaged in sensitization campaigns across various platforms, thereby, encouraging their followers to embrace unity and shun extremism.
“Furthermore, security measures have been enhanced to prevent religious conflicts, with security agencies working closely with faith-based organizations to detect and address potential threats to public peace,” Rev. Ibikunle concluded.
Other religious and political leaders who spoke at the event stressed the need for continuous dialogue among faith-based groups.