By Charles Akpeji, Jalingo
The Chairman of the House Representatives Committee on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, Sadiq Tafida, has called for renewed commitment to religious tolerance and national unity, emphasising that dialogue and empathy are crucial to sustaining peace in Nigeria’s diverse society.
Speaking at a high-level interfaith forum attended by colleagues, religious leaders, civil society actors, and the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, the committee chairman described the gathering as a symbol of hope and shared humanity.
“In Nigeria’s beautiful mosaic of belief and identity, religious tolerance is more than a virtue; it is a necessity,” the lawmaker said. “When Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers speak not at each other, but with each other, we plant seeds of understanding that will one day bloom into peace.”
The member, representing the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal constituency, outlined a five-point agenda aimed at strengthening peacebuilding efforts nationwide.
These include reviving interfaith dialogue platforms such as the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council at the grassroots level, fostering empathy in education, safeguarding places of worship, promoting responsible media narratives, and supporting faith-based and civil society peacebuilders.
“Our mosques, churches, and shrines must be sanctuaries free from fear or attack. Let no prayer be silenced by hate, and let every act of religious violence be met with justice,” the lawmaker declared.
He further urged the media to “speak peace,” emphasising the significant role of storytelling in shaping societal perceptions and fostering healing divisions.
Tafida also urged Nigerians to move beyond rhetoric and dedicate themselves to creating a country where every citizen, regardless of faith or background, can live with dignity, freedom, and mutual respect.
“Nigeria is not a puzzle to be solved, but a song to be harmonised,” the chairman stated. “In that harmony lies our strength, our future, and our peace.”
– Source: The Guardian Newspapers Nigeria
