Connect with us

National News

University Don Calls on West African Countries to Create Legal Framework Against Religious Intolerance

Published

on

University Don Calls on West African Countries to Create Legal Framework Against Religious Intolerance

University Don Calls on West African Countries to Create Legal Framework Against Religious Intolerance

By: Michael Mike

Countries in West Africa needs to put in place legal framework that will mitigate religious intolerance, a professor of International Relations at Kaduna State University, Professor Usman Mohammed has told the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

He gave the advocate on Wednesday while presenting a paper at a delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament on committees on Education, Science and Culture; Health as well as Telecommunications and Information Technology.

has called on members of Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States,

In his paper titled: “Religious Tolerance and Stability: key factors to peace and development in the ECOWAS region, Professor Mohammed said ECOWAS needs to prevail on the authorities at the national levels to domesticate laws that will be useful in reducing religious intolerance in the region, explaining that due to human behaviour, it would be practically impossible to eradicate religious intolerance, hence, the need  for the implementation of appropriate laws to put such tendency in check.

He said although states could differ when it comes to the issue of guaranteeing equal treatments under the law and constitution, the general assumption was that religion is a fundamental human rights as enshrined by the United Nations charter, as such, the inclination to have religious dogmatic adherences abound, posing a fundamental  challenge  in the region.

He said: “We cannot  deceive ourselves and say that we are going to eradicate religious intolerance, as it is human behaviour which is very unpredictable. The essence of studying human behaviour is to reduce, to control and to minimise and not to eradicate. This is a basic fact. So let us understand on the basic of this  fact that there are behaviours that need to be controlled and in controlling it, we need laws. 

“And in enacting laws, we need laws either from domestic to international or from  regional to domestication, at the level of the states where democracy happens. This  is very important. So therefore, you have a very significant role in the reduction of violence and religious intolerance in West Africa; to see to it that you talk to authorities at the national levels to domesticate laws that will be useful in reducing this intolerance.”

Also Read: WHO releases 6 policy briefs to end COVID-19

Mohammed  while likening Africa to a pot of porridge with a combination of several ingredients which if cooked properly would produce a delicious meal and if not handled with care would disrupt the anatomy of the system, said: “So, in diverse societies such as West Africa, people from different backgrounds practice multiple faiths, even within the same religion, multiple philosophical adherences are there, differences about social, economic and racial issues also come up, which may lead to religious intolerance to a large extent, if not carefully handled.”

He further explained that different interpretations of religious scripture  posed yet another factor which could give rise to religious intolerance.

He said: “In the churches, in the mosques , we hear this issues of religious tolerance, interpretation of these scripture however, becomes another issue. The belief in them, whether it is dogmatic belief, or school of thoughts that gives the interpretation becomes another problem even within the same religion. So this is where we are, this is our source of problem. 

“How do we believe in the scripture simple and straight forward, without subtraction, without addition, without some other scholars bringing their own belief into what the scriptures are saying? You have different interpretations, different believes, different schools of thought, different sects. Again, the crises even within the same religion is there, in Islam we have different sects, in Christianity there are different sects. This is  another problem.”

The international Relations Scholar however claimed the fact that religious motivated violence is more present particularly in countries that have a high level of political instability or active insurgency.

He said religious violence may not always be caused by religious groups but secular groups  such as political parties, ethnic associations and community unions might also incite religious violence to suit their political ideological agenda.

University Don Calls on West African Countries to Create Legal Framework Against Religious Intolerance

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National News

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

Published

on

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 12th June, 2025 as Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s democracy day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion of 26 years of an uninterrupted civil rule.

He said: “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured.

“The last 26 years tells the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope Renewed than ever.”

The Minister while noting that Democracy is sustained with open doors for further improvement, reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the universal value of democracy that is based on freely-expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

Continue Reading

National News

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Published

on

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Continue Reading

National News

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Published

on

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights