The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev. Humphrey B. Olumakaiye and the Chief Imam of Lagos, Engr. (Sheikh)Muhammed Sulaimon O. Abu-Nolla have urged Christians and Muslims alike to promote the culture of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Lagos State in particular and the Nigerian nation at large.The duo gave this charge during a courtesy visit of the Anglican bishop, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye to the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Sulaimon Abu-Nollah at the Central Mosque, Lagos.
According to Olumakaiye, there can never be meaningful and tangible progress where there is no religious peace and harmony.
He further said that globally, interfaith dialogue has been identified as effective panacea to religious crisis; as it increases understanding and reduces tension.
“Where there is peaceful coexistence, the socio-economic development of the people, the state and the nation will improve.
“When all these are lacking, the people will be engulfed in fear and anxiety. Nothing paralyses the economic development of a nation than religious crisis”, he said.
Read Also:
The bishop who urged religious leaders in Nigeria to work together to combat corruption, added that corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation.
“Our common enemy as Christians and Muslims is corruption, and it has destroyed the socio-economic and political spheres in the country. We need to fight this cancerous element so the country will be able to make a headway”, he added.
Olumakaiye also urged Nigerians to collectively fight moral decadence in institutions of learning, as well as other vices that have become a daily occurrence in the nation.
“We should collectively attack the gangrene moral decadence, incessant killings, fake living and living above our means, kidnapping, robbery, bribery and nepotism instead of attacking ourselves”, he admonished.
He noted that since religion has been identified to be the conscience of the nation, then religious leaders would be held responsible for a nation and people without conscience.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheik Abu-Nolla assured the bishop that Muslims in Lagos would work together to promote peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
“We will work towards the development of our country. We will educate our worshippers on the way and manner to portray the country; especially the image of the country which is the most important in good light”,he assured.
The cleric noted that for any nation to achieve meaningful development, good leadership and commitment of citizens of the country is of the essence.
