Foundation advocates for interfaith dialogue to build peaceful communities in Nigeria

The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, GPFN, has advocated for interfaith dialogue as a means to build peaceful communities across the country.

Rev. Joseph Hayab, Country Director of GPFN, said this during the International Youth Day Interfaith Dialogue with the “Youth Local Action for SDGs through Inter-Religion Harmony in Minna on Tuesday,

He noted that interfaith dialogue will go a long way to build confidence and trust between people of different faiths.

He said the foundation believes that such can foster mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among different faith communities, leading to peaceful co-existence.

“Today’s gathering is a declaration that despite our diverse faiths, ethnicities and cultures, we choose dialogue over division, unity over conflict and peace over violence,” Hayab declared.

Hayab emphasised the importance of promoting interfaith dialogue among Nigerian youth for peace and sustainable development.

According to him, interfaith dialogue among Nigerian youth can connect communities, build trus, tackles insecurity, mitigate violence thereby promoting peaceful co-existence for sustainable livelihoods.

Hayab challenged the young people to rise above narratives of division and be bridge-builders, innovators and ambassadors of peace.

He also urged government leaders, community elders and civil society organisations to invest in youth empowerment, provides them with skills, resources and platforms to shape policies and decisions.

Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, emphasised the need for both religions to promote peace in their communities and urged women to speak out against Gender-Based Violence, forced marriage and sexual harassment.

Bago, represented by Ms Aisha Wakaso, Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, called on women and girls to break their silence and advocate against GBV.

“Women should protect their children, watch the kind of peer groups they associate with and parents about always know the whereabouts of their children,” he said.

In his presentation, the Commissioner of Police in Niger, Adamu Elleman, commended the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasiru Islam (JNI) for promoting peaceful co-existence in Niger state.

Elleman, represented by SP Wasiu Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, highlighted the efforts of the police in tackling youths restivestiness in Minna metropolis.

He advocated for government to engage youths on skills acquisition programmes and parents to take responsibility and pay attention for their children in order to reduce crime in their communities.

In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairman of CAN in Niger, Rev. Joshua Rikoto and representative of JNI, Mamman Ketso, emphasised the need to empower youths and women to build a better society.

Goodwill messages were presented by representative of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Human Rights Commission, Emir of Minna, SDG and Director of Bureau of Religious Affairs in Niger State.

Foundation advocates for interfaith dialogue to build peaceful communities in Nigeria