Jos, Feb. 8, 2021 – Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday inaugurated the state Inter-religious Council with a warning that he would not tolerate religious crisis from unscrupulous elements no matter their status in the state.
The council was established to build consensus on challenges that threaten freedom, tolerance and peace in the state.
Lalong, while inaugurating the council at the Government House, Jos, expressed concern that every dispute in Plateau was usually given religious coloration and escalating to violence.
He said the council was to promote the culture of interfaith dialogue as a viable mechanism for peaceful co-existence, understanding and religious tolerance.
He recalled that the ‘EndSars Protest’ was hijacked by merchants of discord leading to the burning of Churches and Mosques, saying he ordered a 24-hour curfew to prevent its further escalation.
The governor said the inuaguration of the council was part of his commitment toward facilitating sustainable peaceful coexistence among different groups in the state.
“Today, we are inaugurating the reconstituted Plateau State Inter-Religious Council, a body made up of highly respected religious leaders and experts in the field of conflict mediation and peace building.
“The inauguration of this non-partisan body is a further demonstration of our administration’s commitment to repairing the broken social fabric of our society.
“This is through the provision of a structured platform for religious, community, youth and women leaders to play active roles in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between citizens regardless of ethnic and religious differences,” he said.
He said the council’s members were chosen based on their track record of integrity, honesty, peace drive and patriotism, saying they would offer advisory services to the State Government on issues of religious practice.
Lalong also said that the council would support the state’s Peace Building Agency in finding lasting solution to the renewed farmers-herders clashes in some parts of the state, such as Bassa Local Government Area.
He said sincerity was necessary for Plateau people to drive the peace process, saying, “If we want to end farmers and herders clashes, we have to be sincere and the parties involved drive the process themselves,” he said.
He said he received reports that people had been killed in attacks and reprisal attacks in Bassa Local Government Area and had directed security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The governor expressed confidence that the council through their deeper views and insights on security would help in addressing the lingering crisis in the state.
“The council will adopt a flexible and confidential format in which even controversial issues can be discussed; assumptions tested and ideas generated.
“Through joint analysis and structured interfaith dialogue, voices from divergent communities can come up with new ideas and approaches that will help to enhance resilience and social cohesion.
“In addition, I hope this platform provides a channel through which religious leaders can offer honest, non-partisan and informed counsel on critical matters and present their recommendations to government and other policy makers at all levels,” he said.
Lalong said the council would deliberate on reported cases of religious conflicts and proffer urgent solutions for government’s intervention.
He promised to work closely with relevant agencies of government to improve social cohesion as well as promote the agenda of peace in the state through healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.
In his presentation titled: “the role of interfaith dialogue in the promotion of peace and nation building” Prof. Ahmed Dogarawa, of the Department of Accountancy, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, said peaceful coexistence required social cohesion, engaging in positive dialogue and mutual respect.
Dogarawa said that healthy dialogue would build a nation and would help people to live with their religious and cultural differences.
Also in his presentation on interfaith dialogue, Prof. Peter Tanko of the Department of Religious Studies, ABU Zaria, said that dialogue should be conducted on equal ground with mutual confidence and trust and without ulterior motives.
Responding on behalf of the council, the Co-Chairman, Prof. Pandang Yamsat, former President, Church of Christ in Nations, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve, while assuring that they would discharge their duties diligently.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council would also be co-chaired by the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Plateau, Alhaji Sambo Mohammed lll.
NAN reports that the inuaguration of the council is part of activities to mark the Plateau Day for forgiveness and Reconciliation celebrated annually on Feb. 7.
