The Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) and the Oyo State Interfaith Office have reinforced their commitment to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
This was Oyo NACJ and the state Interfaith Office emphasized their shared belief that regardless of divergent religious affiliations, mankind is bound together through humanity.
The meeting, attended by NACJ executives and representatives from various faith-based organizations, focused on strengthening media advocacy for religious tolerance
During a courtesy visit to his office at the state government secretariat, Ibadan, on Friday, Rev. Femi Ibikunle, the Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Interfaith Affairs, reiterated the importance of collaboration among religious groups, stating that all religions are interconnected through the common thread of humanity.
While commending Oyo NACJ for its role in shaping up public opinions through balanced and unbiased information dissemination and news reports, he urged the body not to derail from the path of truth and society building through objective news reporting.
“Religions may differ in doctrines, but they all preach love, compassion, and peace. At the core, humanity is what unites us, and this should guide our interactions.
“This present administration under the leadership of governor Makinde has been leading the entire country in this charge as a foremost advocate of unity and peaceful coexistence, and that is why the Interfaith Office has been empowered and saddled with this responsibility and to the glory of God, the whole world is seeing the results in the tranquility across the state.
“You as stakeholders have done a lot of commendable work using your various news platforms under the umbrella body of NACJ in Oyo state and I want to seriously appeal to you not to detail because your job is like those in the gospel ministry.
“My office will explore every opportunity to deepen our shared vision to promote a more robust collaboration. We live in a time where technology has taken over and with just a click, the whole world can see and read about what we’re doing in Oyo state so, we rely on your platforms to continue to spread the good works of Governor Makinde,” Rev. Ibikunle said.
The NACJ leadership, led by its chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Lekan Shobowale, commended the Interfaith Office for its role in promoting peaceful religious coexistence and pledged to use its platform to amplify messages of unity.
Speaking, the NACJ Chairman commended Governor Seyi Makinde over his stance on the controversial Sharia panel in the state, calling on other governors in the south west to emulate the Oyo state governor.
Shobowale lauded Makinde’s wisdom in handling of sensitive matters as a rare and special gifts that have distinguished him as a man being led by the spirit of God, assuring that NACJ in the state will continue to support the state government in ensuring a peaceful coexistence that engenders sectoral development.
