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Tinubu Reasserts Nigeria’s Commitment to Interfaith Dialogue, Unity
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has echoed Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to interfaith harmony, national cohesion and global partnerships for peace.
He affirmed this yesterday when he received the founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, Professor Andrea Riccardi and the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni and their delegation to the Presidency.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who received the delegation on behalf of the President, described Nigeria as a pluralistic nation, with over 220 million citizens and more than 250 ethnic nationalities coexisting within a pluralistic democratic framework.
He explained that Islam and Christianity, alongside indigenous traditional belief systems, collectively shape the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, making diversity a source of strength.
The president outlined the Terrorism Prevention Act and its amendments, enhanced intelligence coordination, improved prosecutorial capacity, and reinforced inter-agency collaboration as some of the steps taken by the federal government to strengthen counter-terrorism frameworks.
He said the kinetic initiatives were complemented by non-kinetic measures such as de-radicalisation programmes, community engagement, and socio-economic stabilisation initiatives.
Speaking earlier, Professor Riccardi noted that Nigeria’s strength lies far beyond its natural resources or demographic advantages, saying it represents a living example of how ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity can coexist within one national framework.
He described the coexistence of Islam and Christianity as a “miracle of unity in diversity” while reaffirming that the Community of Sant’Egidio remains committed to supporting peacebuilding and interfaith engagement initiatives across Nigeria.
In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh expressed deep appreciation to the federal government for strengthening engagement with the Christian community, particularly on matters of national importance such as security, peacebuilding, and interfaith relations.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between government, faith leaders, and international partners would continue to strengthen unity, security, and nation-building efforts across Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama emphasised that sustained dialogue remains the most effective pathway to addressing Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity, criminality, and social tensions.
He acknowledged the global reputation of the Community of Sant’Egidio, in peacebuilding, humanitarian outreach, and interreligious dialogue.
Some of the dignitaries at the meeting included the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola.
