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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) has appealed to the conscience of Christian and Muslim faithful in Nigeria to embrace the cause of peace, harmony and tolerance.
The GPFN stated that the expected socioeconomic growth and development would continue to elude Nigeria until people embrace peace and live together with one another irrespective of religious differences.
Rev. John Hayab, the Country Director, GPFN, made the appeal at National Religious Leaders’ Consultation on Faith and Nation Building, in Abuja, with about 200 Christian and Muslim leaders in attendance.
Rev. Hayab suggested deep spiritual significance for Nigeria’s two major faith communities. “As our Christian brothers and sisters journey through the solemn reflection of Lent, and our Muslim brothers and sisters enter the sacred month of Ramadan, we are presented with a unique, divine convergence. These are not merely seasons of personal piety; they are powerful, parallel schools of virtue that speak directly to the heart of nation-building.
“Both Lent and Ramadan call us to three foundational pillars for a stronger Nigeria. Firstly, discipline and self-denial. Fasting teaches us to master our appetites, not just for food, but for greed, corruption, and the selfish desires that fracture our society. A nation built by disciplined citizens is a nation built to last.
“Secondly, compassion and empathy which compel us to feel the pangs of the hungry, the loneliness of the poor, and the struggle of the marginalized; and Thirdly, purification and renewal which called us to cleanse our hearts of malice, prejudice, and intolerance. As we seek forgiveness, we must also be agents of reconciliation thus bridging divides, healing old wounds, and seeing the ‘other’ not as a threat, but as a fellow citizen under God.”
He asked the religious leaders and the faithful to use the sacred season not just for inward reflection, but for outward action. “Let the lessons of our fasts, the humility of Lent and the generosity of Ramadan inform our words, shape our policies, and guide our interactions.
“Let us, as religious leaders, model the unity we preach. Let us condemn violence not selectively, but universally. Let us build a Nigeria where our faith does not separate us at the table of brotherhood, but is the very reason we are compelled to sit together,” he suggested.
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An Islamic scholar, Sadiq Abubakar, in his remarks, appreciated the GPFN for the initiative, highlighting the benefits of previous national religious leaders’ consultation on faith and nation building organised by GPFN.
He, however, noted that only leaders who are guided by a strong sense of accountability before God are more likely to act in the public interest and contribute to national development.
He explained that the Lenten and Ramadan fasting instils self-control and compassion, and urged citizens to extend these virtues beyond personal devotion to actions that benefit society.
The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Joseph Ochogwu, in his remarks, said that while laws regulate actions, moral conviction rooted in faith encourages accountability and ethical conduct.
Ochogwu said that misuse of religion for personal or political gain has continued to fuel division, urging Nigerians to prioritise shared values over identity differences to achieve lasting peace.
He also noted that effective collaboration among institutions, including security agencies and faith groups, remains vital in managing tensions and safeguarding national stability.
Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, warned that rising economic pressure on citizens could make voters susceptible to manipulation during elections.
He urged political actors to refrain from exploiting vulnerable populations, noting that such practices erode democratic values and weaken public trust in governance.
Fr. Omonokhua also called on religious leaders to promote integrity and discourage messages that could inflame division, emphasising that Nigeria’s unity depends on responsible leadership at all levels.
