CHAIN Advocates Establishment Of Council On Religious Matters

Stakeholders at a one day Roundtable of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria CHAIN have called for the establishment of a Special Council on Religious Matters.

The keynote speaker at the forum, Dr. Sam Amadi emphasized that the proposed council would be saddled with the responsibility of investigating and ensuring stiffer penalties against perpetrators of evil acts carried out under the guise of religion.

According to him, the inability to expose and punish such perpetrators has dented Nigeria’s image globally.

He advised Nigerians to desist from unlawful activities that tarnish the nation’s image and undermine government efforts to protect the lives and property of all citizens.

In their separate remarks, the Chief Executive of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, Reverend Joseph Hayab, and the former ECWA General Secretary, Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, called for collective measures to stop the incessant killings in Nigeria.

According to Reverend Hayab, “It’s the desire of the organizers that at the end of this one day round-table, we as practitioners will come out with clear analysis of the freedom of religion situation in the north and come out with a roadmap for solutions that will reduce the mindless loss of lives.”

In a Goodwill message, The Global Mission Leader, Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam also called for the setting up of a National Freedom of Religion or Believe FoRB Council with the responsibility of documenting – very objectively, cases of FoRB violations in Nigeria.

He explained further that “the membership of such a Council should be populated with credible voices and real time actors in this field.

“Beyond the politics of numbers, the fact is that about 145 Catholic Priests have been killed during the current insecurity experience in Nigeria. This doesn’t include Priests from other denominations so far.”

The forum deliberated extensively on national issues aimed at fostering unity, compassion, accountability, and the overall well-being of Nigerians.

Over three hundred Christian leaders from across the country attended the forum, with the theme: “Building Synergy Among Faith-Based NGOs for Freedom of Religion or Belief.”

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji