Muslims and Christains under to the auspices of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) , yesterday gathered at the national Capital, Abuja to discuss and chart the way forward for peaceful co-existence of Nigerians at all levels in addition to x-raying various ways to eliminate crimes and corruption in the country.
The one-day event with the theme “The Role of Religious Leaders in combating corruption and cybercrime” brought in attendance, many clergy men and women from both religious groups within and outside Abuja.
Declaring the event open, Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume commended NIREC for the eminent role it has played in the past to sustain the hope of Nigerians by ensuring that there is religious peace and harmony in the country
He described the theme as apt and laudable adding that it concinceds with the present administration mandate to rekindle hope in Nigeria citizens, hence the “Renewed Hope” slogan “which was the mantra of our campaign in preparation for the 2023 elections”.
He added that government at all levels needs the cooperation of religious leaders to use religion to restore human dignity to the citizens and not to use religion to divide the people of the nation
He also assured on government continuous support towards religious affairs in the country.
Speaking further, the co-chairman of the group, His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa ad Abubakar, and President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Archbishop (Dr) Daniel Okoh expressed optimism that the event will afford leaders the opportunity to sincerely evaluate their leadership impact and encourage one another to continue in their commitment to work towards a better society for all.
Both of them agreed that for moral leadership to strive, one must have moral authority “and to have moral authority is to do what is right. With strong moral authority we can speak up and push back the obsession to acquire material wealth by imparting the national values on our followers using every platform available to us”
The duo however called on all religious leaders to join hands in the fight against corruption adding that together, they can make a difference and build a more just and ethical society for future generations.
Earlier, In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the body, Prof Cornelius Omonokkhua described cyber crimes as a major risk which poses devastating effects like financial loss, breach of sensitive data, failure of system both on individual and organization reputation.
He lamented that the nation’s security architecture is not courageous enough to combat crime citing example of some customs officers who had to save their lives by giving some of their sized food items to bandits in the forest.
“If this could happen, one could imagine how difficult or complicated it would be to combat corruption and cyber cime in Nigeria”
However, participants at event called on the nations anti-graft agencies to wake up to their responsibility by ensuring that all those caught in corrupt practices are brought book to serve as deterrent to others in addition to combating corruption and cyber crimes in Nigeria.
Recall that NIREC is the highest body of peace-building and conflict management in Nigeria and it is in collaboration with Religions for Peace (RIP) whose headquarters is in New York, USA and Africa Council for Religious leaders whose headquarters is in Nairobi Kenya.
Nigeria is also the headquarters of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council.
END