Tinubu reaffirms Nigeria’s interfaith unity as Italian peace advocate visits

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has recommitted Nigeria to interfaith harmony and national cohesion, while hosting Professor Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Italy-based Community of Sant’Egidio in a meeting yesterday.

The meeting was focused on peacebuilding amid the country’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape.

Receiving Riccardi alongside Italian Ambassador, Roberto Mengoni and a Nigerian delegation, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s pluralism with over 220 million people from more than 250 ethnic groups, shaped by Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs.

According to a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the SGF, Dewan Goshit, the President detailed the federal anti-terrorism’s strides, including the Terrorism Prevention Act amendments, bolstered intelligence, prosecutions and inter-agency ties, paired with deradicalisation, community outreach and economic stabilisation.

Riccardi praised Nigeria’s model of diversity, stating, “Nigeria’s strength lies far beyond its natural resources or demographic advantages; it represents a living example of how ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity can coexist within one national framework.”

He called the peaceful coexistence of Islam and Christianity a ‘miracle of unity in diversity,’ pledging Sant’Egidio’s ongoing support for peace and interfaith efforts.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, thanked the government for engaging Christians on security and peace, saying, “Sustained collaboration between the government, faith leaders and international partners would continue to strengthen unity, security and nation-building efforts across Nigeria.”

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, stressed dialogue’s power, noting, “Sustained dialogue remains the most effective pathway to addressing Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity, criminality and social tensions.” He lauded Sant’Egidio’s global peacebuilding role.

Attendees included Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd); Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite and Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) representative, Prof. Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokwua.