Global Peace Development and the ActionAid Nigeria have organised one day interfaith dialogue with religious leaders
on preventing violent extremism in Kaduna state.
The representative of Global Peace Development, Mrs. Chat Sunday Adamu stated this while briefing newsmen on the SARVE III Project which took place in Kaduna.
The project which is going to be implemented in Kaduna and Kano for the next three years is in pursuance of the “System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism ” (SARVE III) Project.
She said the meeting was funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
Mrs. Chat Sunday Adamu said the meeting was imperative for the furtherance of peace and unity in Kaduna and Kano States in the face of the security challenges and ahead of the 2023 general elections.
She explained that Kaduna and Kano were selected for the project due to the population and volatility of the two states.
The Global Peace Development representatives urged religious leaders to take the message of peace to their congregations in the two states to prevent violent extremism particularly among the youths in the North-Western states.
Also in his presentation at the meeting, Director of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa called on religious leaders to preach against religious politics to their followers.
He encouraged them to educate their congregations to vote based on credibility of the leaders who present themselves for elections.
In his paper presentation, an Islamic Scholar and Interfaith Champion in Northern Nigeria, Imam Nurain Ashafa called on religious leaders to rescue Nigeria from its myriad of challenges, especially insecurity.
Ashafa who is the CEO of Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna emphasized that, religious leaders remain the saving grace for Nigeria, in the face of failure of the security apparatus to successfully tackle insecurity.
He said, the religious leaders must swing into action by working tirelessly to instill consciousness of God in people, with a view to rebuilding a Nigerian society where everybody becomes their brothers keepers and where leaders rule with the fear of God.
Adamu Yusuf
