The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, has urged Nigerians to shun religious fanaticism and embrace tolerance as a necessary path towards national peace, unity and development.
Archbishop Kaigama made this call on Wednesday while addressing top public figures, stakeholders and participants at the inaugural Taravest Summit in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.
He stressed the importance of religious harmony, stressing that no religion promotes violence.
“People should be educated to desist from religious fanaticism and embrace peace for sustainable development because no religion preaches violence,”;; he said.
The cleric, while using football as a metaphor for national unity, highlighted that religion doesn’t stand as a barrier to the celebrations of wins.
“During football matches, Nigerians watch keenly and collectively. Each time a goal is scored, everyone shouts in excitement as one person belonging to one nation. Nobody says that the goal was scored by a Christian or a Muslim — we simply celebrate because Nigeria has scored,”;; he said.
On the role of tolerance in society, the archbishop highlighted that peace and security can only be achieved when ethnic and religious harmony is prioritised.
He described tolerance and mutual acceptance as the pathway to peace, security and sustainable development among individuals from diverse ethnic and religious affiliations.
Kaigama further urged that inter-religious dialogue must go beyond theory and be practically implemented. He also advocated for a more productive use of land and national resources.
