The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for stronger cooperation between Muslims and Christians to address insecurity, poverty and other challenges facing Nigeria as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) marks its 50th anniversary.
The council made the call in a congratulatory message to CAN on Wednesday, October 14, describing the association’s golden jubilee as an important milestone for both the Christian community and Nigeria.
The message was signed by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, on behalf of the council, which is led by its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The NSCIA said religious leaders and institutions had important roles to play in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s religious and ethnic communities.
It noted that Muslims and Christians, who constitute the majority of Nigeria’s population, shared a responsibility to promote peace, justice, security and national development.
The council also identified insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable governance as challenges requiring collective action from Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliations.
“The challenges confronting our nation, particularly injustice, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable and responsive governance, require the collective efforts of all Nigerians,” the council said.
The NSCIA emphasised the importance of sustained interfaith dialogue, citing the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) as one of the platforms that allow Muslim and Christian leaders to discuss issues affecting national peace and development.
It said continued engagement between the two religious communities was necessary to build trust, address shared concerns and prevent religious differences from becoming sources of division.
The council further urged Nigerians to uphold justice, compassion and peaceful coexistence, stressing that religious differences should not lead to hatred or violence.
It congratulated CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, members of the association’s National Executive Committee, Christian denominations under its umbrella and Christians across the country on the anniversary.
The council made the call in a congratulatory message to CAN on Wednesday, October 14, describing the association’s golden jubilee as an important milestone for both the Christian community and Nigeria.
The message was signed by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, on behalf of the council, which is led by its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The NSCIA said religious leaders and institutions had important roles to play in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s religious and ethnic communities.
It noted that Muslims and Christians, who constitute the majority of Nigeria’s population, shared a responsibility to promote peace, justice, security and national development.
The council also identified insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable governance as challenges requiring collective action from Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliations.
“The challenges confronting our nation, particularly injustice, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable and responsive governance, require the collective efforts of all Nigerians,” the council said.
The NSCIA emphasised the importance of sustained interfaith dialogue, citing the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) as one of the platforms that allow Muslim and Christian leaders to discuss issues affecting national peace and development.
It said continued engagement between the two religious communities was necessary to build trust, address shared concerns and prevent religious differences from becoming sources of division.
The council further urged Nigerians to uphold justice, compassion and peaceful coexistence, stressing that religious differences should not lead to hatred or violence.
It congratulated CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, members of the association’s National Executive Committee, Christian denominations under its umbrella and Christians across the country on the anniversary.