Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama has expressed worry over how religion and communal beliefs have become tools for manipulation and conflicts, especially in African societies.
He stated this in Abuja during the opening of the National policy roundtable on the network of policymakers to support reconciliation, Peace, and security in Nigeria.
Mr. Onyeama also expressed concern over the rising spate of conflict in the country, urging participants to use the dialogue to bring about the desired objective.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs applauded the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue for organizing the dialogue, which he described as timely.
Also speaking, The Chief Justice of the Federation, Tanko Mohammed who described peace as a priceless commodity, commended the organisers of the dialogue and expressed the hope that it would bring about the desired objective.
Justice Tanko who said the Judiciary would continue to work towards uplifting the right of law-abiding citizens of the country urged participants to be sincere in their conversations to achieve the objectives of the dialogue.
He said Nigeria which had been grappling with various security challenges, needed such avenues to discuss and promote peace in the country.
Also, Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen expressed worry over the rising cases of violence in the country and applauded the IPCR for creating an avenue for dialogue.
She emphasised the need for women to be given a leadership role, and that if given the opportunity, women would find a lasting solution to the problems of violent conflicts in the country.
Dame Pauline Tallen said the absence of love in the minds of many, contributed to the crises facing the country, hence the need for sincerity and patriotism by all Nigerians to overcome the challenges facing the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba said development and peace are inseparable and emphasised the need for participants to pay more attention in peacebuilding as religious leaders.
He said the police had been working with stakeholders toward peacebuilding and called for the support of the religious leaders toward improving internal policing in the country.
The National Security Adviser, Retired Major General Babagana Monguno represented by Ambassador Ahmed Lawal said the national security strategy document developed by the office of the national security adviser and stakeholders would be fully implemented to tackle current security challenges.
He explained that the document which covers both kinetic and non-kinetic measures also captured the role of all Nigerians in the security of the nation.
The dialogue draws participants from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Christian Council of Nigeria among others.
RN
