By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace has called on religious leaders in Plateau State to preach peace to their adherents at all levels.
The call was made by speakers at an engagement with religious leaders from Jos the Plateau State Capital, aimed at fostering peaceful co-existence; held at the Sacred Heart Pastoral Centre, Jos.
Organised by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace in collaboration with the United Religions Initiative and Plateau State University, Bokkos.
Speaking at the event, Dr Emmanuel Ivorgba a participant at the Foundation, said, “We are here because the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace has brought us together to engage with religious leaders; Christians, Muslims and practitioners of other faiths, as religious people we can together explore and find ways to build peace in Plateau and Nigeria as a whole.
“As you all know, religion is a very powerful tool, in the same way religious leaders are.
Ivorgba who is also the West Africa Regional Coordinator, United Religions Initiative, explained that, “So, combining them together, the power of religion and the leadership that religious people provide, and explore opportunities, especially in our holy books, to find ways to build peace and harmony in Plateau.
“We are all aware most of the violence we have seen in Plateau has been around religion.
“So it is important for religious leaders to come to the table and engage one another in finding ways to build peace”, he maintained.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Andrew Dewan, Director Advancement Linkages, Plateau State University, Bokkos, and a participant at the Foundation, said, “Within the context of religious dialogue, religious leaders here are going to be given economic trees to plant, and will pair the religious leaders from each of the faiths.
“To also ensure that the plant that they are given to give to them is watered and well looked after jointly, so that they will grow also bear fruit.
“We can’t just talk about religious dialogue in a vacuum, there should be something that people can relate with.
“When we initiate this in our consciousness, it will go a long way, to narrow the gap of division”, Ivorgba noted.
According to him, “Over the years, we’ve built walls of division , its about time we pull those walls down, and build bridges of love, friendships; so this is what this initiative seeks to foster an atmosphere of dialogue”.
In his remarks, co-chairman, Plateau Youth Interfaith Forum, and Deputy Imam, of Nasco Fibre Mosque Jos, said, “If you look at the society we are in, people respect religious leaders more than any individual, that is why it is the duty of religious leaders to make sure they foster peace, harmony, tolerance.
“And whatever mechanism they will use to make sure there is peace on the Plateau, Nigeria and the world at large.
“That is why this gathering is very important, that we come together, so that we can all work in our values and faith.
According to him, “If there is no peace, there is nothing that will move; because peace is the foundation of economy, seeking for knowledge, for even life itself; and without it, nothing or nobody can stay in that environment”.
His Grace Salika Dasa, Temple President, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), while speaking sad, “This is the right move in the right direction, looking at how the society is today, each and every being on this earth is looking out for peace.
“Unfortunately, many people do not know what peace constitutes; sometimes peace is considered as something that can be purchased in the market.
“But the reality is that, peace is something that is inherent in all of us; it needs to be uncovered.
“That is why, this gathering gives us the opportunity, to educate people on how to uncover that peace”, he maintained.
“In Krishna Consciousness, our approach to peace is to help people uncover the peace in them, so that they can buy way of relationship, extend that to other people”, he admonished.
In a goodwill message, the President, Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN), Nanmak Bali, said, “This timely gathering, reflects our collective commitment to fostering unity, tolerance, and coexistence.
“As we navigate the complexities of our diverse society, it is imperative that we embrace interfaith dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution, social cohesion, and sustainable peace.
“Religious leaders hold a unique position in shaping narratives, guiding communities, and healing wounds inflicted by division and mistrust.
“Through this assembly, we have an opportunity to deepen our understanding, strengthen partnerships, and reinforce the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence”, he stressed.
