Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has canvassed sustainable religious and ethnic tolerance as a means of enhancing national unity.
He also commended the Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIRC) for promoting national unity through its advocacy in getting the various religions to work together for the growth of the country.
Governor Uzodimma, who spoke at the maiden 2025 meeting of NIRC which was held in Owerri, was happy that since the inception of the body, there had been fewer clashes among religious organisations in Nigeria. He spoke as the co-chairmen of NIRC, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) harped on the love for one another as the best way of forging religious harmony in Nigeria.
Uzodimma praised the Council for the theme of the meeting which is “Building mutual trust for national unity”, adding that it was apt as the country navigates through the complexities of ethnic, religious, and political differences.
He said the theme was a “timely call to action because without love and trust, there can’t be no progress.”
Governor Uzodimma counselled religious leaders to use their influence to encourage love, respect, tolerance, and understanding among Nigerians. He also urged the Inter Religious Council “to remain resolute in leading the way to a united Nigeria where peace, love, and mutual trust are the bedrock of national pride”.
While calling for support for the Tinubu administration, Uzodimma declared that the federal government has demonstrated, through good governance, that every Nigerian is a beneficiary of its economic reforms.
In his remarks, CAN’s President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome her current challenges. He noted that without mutual trust, unity becomes an illusion, saying that “mutual trust is the soil from which peace, security, and national development must pass through.”
Archbishop Okoh, who is the co-chairman of NIRC, commended Governor Uzodimma for “his commitment to quality leadership that promotes inclusiveness and lasting peace” and for his hospitality in hosting the meeting.
In his contribution, Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, harped on the need for religious tolerance in the country. The Sultan also urged Nigerians to love one another as a means of sustaining the unity of Nigeria and driving its development.