By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has called on Nigerians not to perceive religious diversity as a barrier to human relations and development but as a tool or resource for national development.
Oba Owoade also urged adherents of various religions in the country to realise the fact that religious tolerance and harmony are legally sanctioned and socially inevitable, as the world can never be composed of one religion or culture.
Spokesperson to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, quoted the monarch as speaking at the special Jumat and thanksgiving service held at the Central Mosque in Oyo town.
The service was part of the activities of the local organising committee for the coronation ceremony.
Owoade noted that all religious communities must understand that there is no alternative to inter-faith dialogue, as there can never be a universal religion or an exclusive society for adherents of a particular religion.
”This desirable scenario of religious harmony can be achieved in Nigeria only through the establishment and sustenance of a neo-religious educational praxis that would generate a culture and orientation of multi-religiosity in our children and youths, as well as a commensurate programme of re-orientation of the adult population,” he said.
“Hitherto, the dominant model of religious education in Nigeria has been faith-oriented and overwhelmed by religious indoctrination and dogma,” the monarch said.
Owoade urged all religious communities to educate their leaders and preachers on the need for religious harmony and tolerance of other faiths.
The royal father reiterated his mission as the symbol of the people’s past, custodian of their history and past, upholder and preserver of their culture, and customs, an epitome of cultural norms and values such as truth, discipline, courage, and responsibility.
“I will continue to show a sympathetic understanding of the traditions, customs, and religions of the people. This is to enable me to enjoy the respect, obedience, and reverence from my people because the authority and power actually come from the traditions of the people,” he said.
Earlier, the Musafat of Oyo land and the acting Chief Imam, Abdul-Azeez Abdul-Lateef Eleyele, told the Alaafin to always seek divine intervention in all his actions and deeds on the throne.
On the entourage of the Alaafin of Oyo were some members often the Oyo Traditional Council, the Oyo Mesi, ten upgraded Baales (village heads) to the status of Part 2 monarch, Owoade Royal Families, and members of the Coronation Local Organising Committee led by its Chairman, Dr. Kunle Ogunmola.
– Source: The Guardian Nigeria
