By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
Tje Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev John Joseph Hayab has appealed to religious leaders in the country to add their voices to the campaign for violence-free elections in Nigeria, by building sustainable peace and harmony before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
He also called on faith and religious leaders in the country to be practical advocates in bridge building, particularly in a society that has been hitherto polarized and divided along religious, ethnic and regional divides for the peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
In a message to commemorate the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2023, the Country Director said, “Nigeria whole heartedly felicitates with the United Nations, the peace and harmony loving people of Nigeria and the entire human race on this all important occasion.”
According to him, this week of global observance calls for all Muslims, Christians and humans of other faith or no faith to engage in a dialogue based on two fundamental religious commandments of love of God and of the neighbour, stressing that they are critical to having a peaceful and harmonious society that has continued to elude humanity.
He added that building bridges across boundaries is the focus in 2023 that provides a platform for all inter-faith groups, religious leaders and all well meaning lovers of harmony to show the world that the common values outweighs the differences Nigerians hold by providing a strong dosage of peace and harmony in the various societies.
He called on religious leaders not only to preach, but continue to dialogue with one another by showing a model of good relationship to their followers for the overall peace, unity and development of the country.
According to him, understanding that no individual or organization has the capacity or resources to alone promote peace and harmony in the society and appealed to all Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to continue to promote activities and programmes aimed at building peaceful and harmonious coexistence in the societies and the world at large.
He explained that Global Peace Foundation stands for and preaches that as human beings, they are members of one family under God, saying that humanity must see, accept, treat and tolerate each other as friends, neighbours, colleagues, brothers and sisters irrespective of their differences so as to experience peace.
He said that without peace, there can be no growth and development.
