The Executive Director, Scripture Union West Africa (SUWA), Dr. Rhoda Udanyi, has emphasised the need for religious tolerance among religious groups in Nigeria, saying it is a vital tool for national development and also an essential element of a peaceful nation.
Speaking at a one-day workshop with the theme: “Capacity strengthening for Freedom of Religion or Beliefs (FoRB,) and Advocacy for Faith Actors” organised by SUWA in Jos Plateau State, Dr. Udanyi said the aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of peace ambassadors on effective implementation of freedom of religion and beliefs (FoRB) practice in Plateau State.
She said the workshop also focuses on creating a faith-based community where everyone enjoys his or her freedom of religion or belief devoid of prejudice as enshrined in section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The executive director, who was represented by the finance officer of the organisation, Mr. Gosen Paul John, further enumerated that religious tolerance is an essential element of a peaceful nation, where people of different religions, beliefs, and cultures can coexist peacefully without any discrimination.
She added that the importance of accepting and respecting diverse religious beliefs and practices has become increasingly recognised in recent times.
The executive director added that SUWA has so far trained over 120 stakeholders in peace-building in two local government areas in Kaduna and Plateau States, respectively.
“At this stage, we are focused on strengthening the capacity of our ambassadors—our focal ambassadors—so that as the project winds up next year in 2025, they can sustain the work.
“Our goal is that when we exit these communities, the people we have trained and empowered will be able to continue the work from where Scripture Union started. This capacity-building is crucial to ensuring sustainability and continuity.
“We have trained a significant number since the inception of the project. Each training session involves a different set of participants. Today, we have 45 participants from three communities: Kongo-Russia, Angwan-Rogo, and Jebu-Bassa. Earlier in Kafanchan, we trained 40 participants. Similarly, in Manchuk, we trained another 40”, he mentioned.
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Emmanuel Ochala, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, who doubled as the advocacy focal person of SUWA, assured us that he will continue to push to change the negative narratives bedevilling religious harmony and coexistence.
According to him, it is a fundamental human right that is fully embedded in Section 38 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and also in the articulation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All these are embedded in our holy texts and books.
“Were working round the clock to create adequate awareness to overcome the misconceptions and misunderstandings, which have not really given us a good avenue to achieve this fundamental human right of each person practicing his or her religion or belief without any discrimination.”
However, training facilitator Reuben Emmanuel, advocacy officer for Tearfund, who is also the JISRA Lobby advocacy and communication working group leader, tasked participants to take advantage of the interface and change society by propagating peace and reconciliation where social and economic justice thrive.
Shedding their thoughts, Rev. Ezekiel Victor from Jebu-Bassa, Mr. Victor Kwara Chasu of Kongo-Russia, as well as Kadija Mohammed, who came from Angwan-Rogo, acknowledged that JISRA trainings have impacted a lot on them right from the onset and promised to continue to prioritise the message of peaceful coexistence in their communities.
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