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How To Curb Ethno-religious Crisis In Nigeria – Dons

Published

3 years ago

August 2, 2022

Experts have called on religious bodies in Nigeria to embrace inter-faith dialogues and negotiations as a means of curbing ethno-religious crises in Nigeria.

According to a statement released by Veritas University on Tuesday, the experts made this known at a round table organised by the Centre for Peace and Development, Veritas University, and the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation.

Speaking during the event, a professor of Islamic thoughts and gender studies, University of Abuja, Rafatu Abdulhamid, reiterated the need for religious leaders to preach peaceful co-existence among their followers.

He said, “Since it is practically impossible to coerce the citizens to practice only the same religion, the only option available is to face the reality on ground, which is to learn to live together in peace and harmony. The way to achieve this is to open the door to dialogue with commitment.

“Without peace, there cannot be stability, progress, and prosperity, all of which go a long way to make a nation take its pride of place in the committee of nations.

“The conclusion now becomes urgent that the government should develop more political will to ensure that peace is achieved in the country. Further, religious leaders should sensitize their followers on the need for peaceful coexistence. Religious groups should be made to lay more emphasis on the common denominators among them rather than their differences. For instance, moral teachings are largely similar in both Islam and Christianity. Government should make necessary sacrifices and take the required steps to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

Also speaking at the event, the Head of Department, Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Benson Igboin, noted that Nigeria is currently undergoing a destructive mode.

“In the destructive mode that Nigeria is presently undergoing, talk is important at the political and religious levels. The position that the unity of the country is nonnegotiable is self-serving and does not reflect the reality and demand for talk. On the religious plane, talk is also indispensable. But who talks and how the talk takes place are pertinent because talk can bring about peace or aggravate intolerant reactions.

“We have argued that many conversational encounters have been confused with dialogue in Nigeria. In a ‘talk to’ situation, listeners are perceived as active receptors and passive respondents.

“Taken into a religious conversational mode, one religious leader may assume that he or she must be listened to, and everything said taken as true.

“In reality, the talker is not always correct; he stands on a portal that is not entirely free from subjective mode. Debate and argument regard others as opponents who must be won or convinced to shift the meaning of what is being discussed.

“In some instances, so-called inter-religious dialogue is characterised by debate and argument that leave people more hurt than healed. The forceful language with which religious leaders sometimes express their experiences depicts the tone of debate and argument. This is more so because dialogue should not only be thought of in its formal arrangement.

“Negotiation also has its inherent limitations as a form of conversation. While it does not regard participants as brothers, it also has recourse to power and politicking that have been the bane of a fruitful dialogue in the country.

“A sense of brotherhood is urgently needed in Nigerian interfaith relations and dialogue.”

PUNCH

News

FG Extends ‘Amnesty’ For Visa Overstay

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has granted a two-month extension of amnesty to foreigners who might have overstayed their visas.

The expired visa initiative is to enhance compliance with the new visa regime and reinforce a secure and transparent migration system.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had at a meeting with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association NECA in March said the government would begin a serious clampdown on irregular migrants in the country as from August 1.

Accordingly, he announced a grace period of three months from May 1, when the new Expatriate Administration System EAS will take place, to August 1, when the government would begin enforcement.

Providing an update on the issue, the Spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, said, “The initiative, which commenced on May 1 2025, runs until September 30 2025, and specifically applies to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.”

According to him, the initiative provides a unique window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without facing penalties.

He said, “⁠The amnesty applies to the following categories: Foreign nationals with Expired Visa on Arrival VoA; Holders of Expired Single and Multiple-Entry Visas; and, Individuals with an Expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration”.

According to him, all affected foreign nationals are urged to promptly regularize their stay through (https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng) within the grace period to avoid overstay penalties.

“To ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications. Contact the support team via email at: amnesty@immigration.gov.ng

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding National Security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes. ⁠For further information, kindly visit the Nigeria Immigration website www.immigration.gov.ng.”

News

Nigeria Becoming Land Flowing With Tears And Blood — Anglican Bishop Of Warri Laments

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide of Warri Diocese of the Anglican Communion, has lamented the deplorable security situation of the country.

Rev. Ide made the remark at the fifteenth synod of the Warri Diocese of the Anglican Communion held at the Cathedral of St Andrew, Warri, with the theme: Overcoming the Birthright of Christians.’

His Lordship, while quoting reports that say that between 2019 and 2023, 55,910 Christians were killed by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, lamented that 90 per cent of the total number of Christians killed around the globe within this period were Nigerians.

He enjoined the Federal Government to take concrete steps to redress the sad state of insecurity in the country.

He said: “The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa revealed that Nigerians accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed worldwide each year; and that between October 2019 and September 2023, a staggering 55,910 people were killed, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the region.

“Is this not an indictment of the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities from escalating violence?

“Why should the government sit and watch militant herdsmen steal and vandalise, kill and boast about it, kidnap and rape, while they enjoy total impunity from elected officials?

“Would it be far from the truth to say that these attacks are religiously motivated and amount to religious cleansing? Worse still, none of the killers have been arrested or brought to justice.

“This carnage must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable. It is worrisome that Nigeria is fast becoming a land flowing with tears and blood due to the reality of terror, devastation, destruction and fear amongst the citizenry.

“The increasing and constant incidences of attacks in villages, cities, on the roads, airports, railways and waterways, and kidnapping give great worry and concern as to whether the government is overwhelmed by it.

“We urge the government and
relevant security agencies to brace up to the occasion to combat this monster of insecurity, check our porous national borders and collaborate with local vigilantes, before things further generate.”

News

Imo Government Shuts Down Illegal Schools In Residential Areas, Withdraws Licenses

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Imo State Government has ordered the immediate closure and withdrawal of approvals and licenses of private schools operating illegally, particularly those located in residential apartments and housing estates across the state.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor B. T. O. Ikegwuoha, who declared the action part of the government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the education sector.

According to the statement, the government has revoked the approvals and licenses of private schools operating in apartments or residential areas, whether or not such institutions were previously approved.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has by this notification revoked and withdrawn the approval and licenses of private schools that are presently housed and operating in apartments in Imo State,” the statement read.

Parents and guardians have been advised to withdraw their children and wards from such illegal schools and re-register them in duly approved private or public schools.

In addition, all schools operating within Federal or Imo State Housing Estates, especially in areas not designated for educational purposes, have also had their approvals revoked.

The government warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract stiff sanctions, including the redistribution of affected students to nearby approved schools.

“Proprietors of private schools in Imo State should note that failure to comply with the conditions outlined in this notice will result in punitive sanctions, including but not limited to immediate distribution of their pupils and students to nearby schools.”

To ensure full compliance, monitoring and inspection teams from the Universal Basic Education (UBSE) and Quality Assurance (QA) departments of the ministry will begin enforcement visits to affected areas.

The government’s action has sparked debate among education stakeholders, with many calling for clarity on zoning regulations and better support for private education providers.
(VANGUARD)