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Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The need for religious tolerance in Nigeria took the centre stage in Benin on Friday at a Grassroots Sensitisation Programme on survey report on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.

The programme, themed
MECHANISM TO MONITOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA, was implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); the Kukah Center (1KC) and Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu
Society (NASFAT), while King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultura Dialogue (KAICIID) provided the fund.

In her opening remarks, Project Coordinator, FORB, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project aimed at increasing the level of coexistence and the opportunity for peace in the country, and also addressing the existing structural limitations.

She added that the project also aims at the “promoting changes to existing policies in order to ensure existing laws and mechanisms promote social cohesion and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

She continued: “In addition, to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect of difference through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious Dialogue (1RD) and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities.”

On his part, keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, while stating that all the major religions in Nigeria preache justice, stressed: “Religion preaches justice. You can’t take everything because you think you are the majority. You can’t take everything just because you think you have the opportunity. Let it go round because the one who doesn’t get would create a situation where you have no peace. Everything you do must be on the wheel of ethics.”

Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Expert Representative, KAICIID, while emphasising on the need for freedom of religion in Nigeria, warned that disrespect for individuals’ religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.

“Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have source of of belonging. Where you don’t have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict,” he added.

Also lending his voice, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while stating that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, noted that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, who stated that God is one and that there’s no need for the religious strive in the country, appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.

Also in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State branch, noted: “We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God.”

News

DSS Arraigns Sowore Over Anti-Tinubu Post

Published

5 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.

Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.

The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.

The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.

Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.

Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.

“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”

Recall that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.

Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”

News

Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

Published

6 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has opened its official application portal for teaching positions across the state.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, the board said the recruitment exercise, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets qualified candidates willing to contribute to the delivery of quality education in Lagos State.

The statement partly read, “This is a unique opportunity for NCE holders, B.A (Ed), B.Sc (Ed), B.Ed, HND+PGDE, BA+PGDE, and B.Sc+PGDE graduates to build a career in teaching and contribute meaningfully to qualitative service delivery in the State.”

According to the commission, applicants are required to submit applications strictly online via https://subebjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng.

The statement warned that physical submissions would not be entertained and stressed that the board has not authorised anyone to collect money for the exercise, which is completely free.

It stated that the documents for application include, O’ Level Certificate (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), Degree Certificate or NCE Certificate, and NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as applicable.

The board also noted that notifications or statements of results issued beyond two years would not be accepted.

“LASUBEB has not engaged or authorised any individual or group to collect money for this exercise. The application is absolutely free.

“Closing Date: The portal will close on 14th October, 2025,” the statement concluded.

News

FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

Published

7 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The provides that, effective from Oct. 6, no Nigerian graduate – whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution would be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.

This directive was contained in a circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Sunday in Abuja.

The directive does not, however, affect serving Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.

Akume said that the compliance directive was to convey the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”