The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has denied abandoning Nigerians in the face of socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.
The NIREC under the co-chairmanship of Sultan of Sokoto and President Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; and President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle, made the denial on Thursday in Abuja.
Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, said in a statement that concern that NIREC voice is not heard, especially these days of religious intolerance among Nigerians and the consequent divisiveness in society and politics of Nigeria.
“NIREC is not a pressure group and does not force the government to implement its constitutional policies. It is not true that NIREC is silent regarding the challenges in the nation. On a daily basis, NIREC monitors and evaluates the events and respond when there is need. Government is advised accordingly without cohesion.
“For instance, on the 11th of June 2021, the council met with Mr. President and discussed the issues of insecurity in the nation and ways forward. Similarly, on the 26th August, 2021 the council had its 2021 third quarter meeting in which a communique’ was released in three national dailies on the first of September, 2021,” Omonokhua said.
He also said that NIREC visits and intervene in areas where there is conflict, including on September 6, 2021, with the Co-Chairmen of NIREC, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha; Executive Secretary of NIREC, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, and Rev. Dr. Ini Ukpuho visited Jos for a consultative peace meeting.
He said that NIREC members from Plateau State and four state governors of Ekiti, Sokoto, Niger and Plateau states were physically present.
He said, “It is not true that the Christian and Muslim Founders of NIREC intentionally excluded or snubbed the adherents of indigenous religions. I am not aware if there is a national umbrella for the indigenous religions like the CAN and the NSCIA.
“NIREC has been relating with traditional rulers who are the custodians of the traditional religions at different levels. The current Co-Chairman of NIREC, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto is the current Co-Chair of the National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTR).
“Every Nigerian need change of attitude, values and mental orientation to transform the nation. It could not be true that the problems of the nation are religion and ethnicity. The citizens need serious transformation and re-orientation to make the nation work.”
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