President Bola Tinubu has urged religious leaders across Africa and beyond to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
The president also urged religious institutions to strengthen peace education, religious literacy and moral guidance for young people, stressing that legitimate grievances should not be used to justify lawlessness or violence.
He said religious leaders had a crucial role to play in promoting justice, compassion, peaceful coexistence and the resolution of grievances, while confronting the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s peace and stability had implications beyond its borders because of the country’s strategic position in West Africa and the Sahel.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the government and religious and traditional institutions to counter violent extremism, misinformation and identity-based divisions, and to promote national cohesion.
