Interfaith group task Nigerian Youths on peaceful religious coexistence

Nigerian youths have been tasked to embrace peaceful coexistence and see each other as one, regardless of differences in religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

This admonition was delivered during a one-day capacity-building training for members of the Interfaith Youth Network on Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Dialogue, organized by Interfaith Dialogue For Peace (IDP) and KAICIID Dialogue Centre.

Speaking at the event held in Abuja on Saturday, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, stated that the workshop was designed to equip members of the Interfaith Youth Network with the necessary skills to engage in dialogue and promote peaceful living. Represented by Mr. Nnamdi Chiotu, the IPCR boss explained that the training aimed to enhance the capacity of the participants as agents and ambassadors of peace.

“I want to thank the partners for this initiative in organizing a capacity-building training on inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue for members of the Interfaith Youth Network. This workshop aims to equip network members with the required skills to engage in meaningful dialogue and promote understanding, which is very relevant.

The training is also intended to build the capacity of the participants and address sources of conflict and develop strategies for peace and coexistence. This is in line with the mandate of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). The Institute is the apex Federal Government agency for the promotion of peace, conflict prevention, management, and resolution in Nigeria.

“I want to thank the organizers for choosing to target the youth. Nigeria is a country with a large youth population. In fact, more than 67 percent of our population is under 30, which shows that it’s a very active population.

Unfortunately, these youths are extensively involved in conflicts across the country. Therefore, it is strategically important to engage these youths. IPCR, on its part, will continue to support initiatives in this direction,” Dr. Ochogwu emphasized.

Father Cornelius Omonokhua, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), noted that the training would not only serve as mental reengineering for the youth but also emphasize that there should be no room for religious fanaticism.

“We can live together whether you are Muslim or Christian. Christians and Muslims worship the same God and see Abraham as a common factor. When they understand this, they will realize that fighting each other is like shedding innocent blood, knowing that we are of the same blood.”

The convener of the training, Mallam Abubakar Akande, explained that the training would offer participants the opportunity to identify and address sources of conflicts and develop strategies that would enable them to become peace ambassadors in their communities and within their religious and cultural groups.