NIREC – Naija Gospel Radio

Lagos to Conduct Census on Religious Centres

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to conduct a census of religious centres across the state.

Ambode gave the directive while inaugurating 798 members of the NIREC appointed for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.

The governor who was represented by Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs at the inauguration told the apointees,

“One of the core functions you are going to discharge is the collation of religious institutions at the local government level.

“You must ensure that you compile a list of all churches, all mosques, all faith-based organisations and forward same to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“I must also urge you to work closely with the local government chairman and all other officials at the local government level. You are working directly with NIREC at the state level.

“Always make sure that you relate any matter that is beyond your capacity to the state NIREC and through the state NIREC, it will get to my office as the governor of Lagos State.

“Your meetings will hold quarterly and I urge you to have extra-ordinary meetings in cases of emergencies.

“I urge you to cooperate with the local government officials and do your best to promote peace and orderliness at the local government level.”

Speaking, the co-chairman (Christian) of the state NIREC, Dr Israel Akinadewo, remarked that religious leaders must continue to educate their followers, especially the vulnerable ones at the grassroots.

“A Christian leader is a Christian whose actions and in actions are not only Christ-like but serves as a good example to younger Christians.

“Also in a country like Nigeria and irrespective of what they do for a living, many people are majorly Christians and Muslims.

“Within the NIREC, the people respect the opinions of their leaders, who they refer to as the representatives of God.

“Hence their views on any matter are taken very seriously. Religious leaders should not encourage wars, hatred and vengeance.

“They are to be firm in the discipline of any of their followers who take steps that work contrary to Godly teachings,’’ Akinadewo said.

Earlier, the Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the state NIREC, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said the inauguration of the council at the local government level was a proactive step taken by the government.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami, commended Ambode for running a community-based government of inclusion by bringing governance down to the grassroots.

Folami said that by taking the NIREC activities to the grassroots, it would be easier for government to nip any crisis in the bud.

Fourteen persons, comprising seven Muslims and seven Christians each, were appointed into the NIREC in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.

Okoh Advocates for Resuscitation of NIREC

The Primate of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Nicholas Okoh, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, have advocated for the resuscitation of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, (NIREC).

The Primate of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Nicholas Okoh, said NIREC was one of the highlights of their discussion during his visit to the Sultan’s palace.

Okoh spoke to our correspondent during his visit to Sokoto to dedicate the newly- completed St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Sokoto.

According to the Christian cleric, the revival of the council is to hasten more understanding between religious leaders, which will trickle down to the grass roots and cement peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

While thanking him for his fatherly role in the sustenance of peace, the Primate said the Sultan mentioned that “we need to revive the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.”

According to Okoh, NIREC was very helpful in talking over differences among the people in the country and understanding one another better.

Okoh added, “In fact, he (Abubakar) emphasised that he doesn’t believe in tolerance, but would like people to understand one another, instead of tolerating one another.

“He illustrated that the understanding at our levels as religious leaders goes a long way in our relationship and I quite agree with him.

“When NIREC was viable, there was a plan of how Christian and Muslim leaders will work together to ensure that whatever decision at NIREC will go down through sub-groups established at the state and local government levels,” he added.