Press Releases

Fashola Pleads With Nigerians To Be Their Brother's Keepers

Aug 5, 2008 - Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday declared open the second zonal meeting of the Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) in Lagos with a plea that Nigerians should be their brother’s keepers.

The Governor who spoke at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island gathering of religious leaders and traditional rulers added that though religion is universally acclaimed as a means of promoting goodwill among the people and fellow beings, the individual’s level of Godliness will be determined by the extent to which his or her action impacts positively on the lives of other compatriots and humanity in general.

He added that with the level of collaboration and caliber of people who have gathered for the meeting, Nigeria has succeeded in banishing religious conflicts.

He asserted that religious harmony and religious tolerance remains a very veritable source of receiving guidance and instructions that shape our society.

Governor Fashola explained that the State is a beneficiary of a relationship in which tremendous support has come from leaders of both faiths as government tries to achieve an equitable tax administration system.

He applauded the decision of the meeting to discuss serious national issues like security, especially the Niger Delta, issues of political class in the development of the country and much more touching issues of maternal and child healthcare.

In his address, the Co –Chairman of the council and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sultan Saad Abubakar 111 averred that despite the many accomplishments of the body, everyone must remain steadfast to ensure that people of questionable intents are not allowed to distract Nigerians.

He added that as leaders in their respective rights they should be ready to commit themselves to their utterances and especially in the presence of followers.

While soliciting the support of the political class in the task of preventing crisis or religious conflicts, he added that religious and natural leaders must be ready to sanction recalcitrant followers.

Sultan Abubakar said it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that poverty is banished in Nigeria as a poverty stricken people are willing tools for manipulation by selfish leaders.

While informing that the message of peaceful coexistence being preached by the NIREC is being wholesomely embraced by the people and has ensured that Nigerians now live and co-exist peacefully.

He commended the hospitality displayed of the Lagos State Government to the team and reiterated that NIREC was established to primarily promote the quest for maintaining peace and tolerance among the people.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) and co-chairman of NIREC, Archbishop John Onaiyekan urged all Nigerians to draw benefit from the tagging of Nigeria as the most religious state in the world to ensure that Nigerians co-exist peacefully.

He added that the convening of the meeting has been a healthy development which has ensured conflict management and prevention with people having the opportunity to contribute to uplifting the nation.

He said with the wind of positive change blowing across the world, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind as the country has what it takes to be the best.

There were also goodwill messages from the representatives of the Ondo and Ekiti States Government at the occasion.