By Religious and community leaders have urged Nigerians to embrace peace and tolerance, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. The call was made during the 8th UFUK Dialogue Iftar and Award Ceremony held in Abuja.
The event gathered religious figures, political leaders, and civil society members, all advocating for harmony across different religious and ethnic groups. UFUK Dialogue President, Emrah Ilgen, emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We are people of different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. Let us take a step toward peace, unity, and justice.”
Rear Admiral O. M. Olotu from the National Defence College praised UFUK Dialogue’s efforts in promoting peace. He highlighted the urgency of peaceful coexistence in the face of rising religious and ethnic tensions worldwide. “We are happy to associate with UFUK Dialogue and are grateful for this programme that promotes the message of peace,” he said.
Imam Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, known as the “Digital Imam,” stressed that religion and ethnicity should not divide Nigerians. “We are not fighting ourselves; I did not choose my height or where I hail from. It is a divine choice, but we have the choice to live in peace. There is a seat for you in my mind,” he said.
Hajia Aisha Bagudu, wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, challenged Nigerians to extend peace beyond Ramadan. “Do we share peace after Ramadan? Do we think about the less privileged?” she asked. Former Deputy Chief of Staff Ade Ipaye also warned about the dangers of religious conflicts, calling them “the ugliest in the world with brutal effects.”
Several individuals were honored for their contributions to peace and religious tolerance, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, and Rev. Fr. Joseph Tile Nomhwange.
