From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye has sued for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence decrying occasional religious tensions in Nigeria.
He attributed the development to poor understanding of the true essence of religion stressing that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to promote religious harmony and prioritize the safety and welfare of all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, irrespective of religious affiliation.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye gave the assurance when the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with countries hosting Nigerian pilgrims and to ensuring equitable treatment of all religions in the discharge of its duties.
Enikanolaiye assured the NCPC of the Ministry’s full support, noting that the Ministry’s role in pilgrimage goes beyond consular services.
“Be assured of our support at all times. We want to see you succeed. Our work has gone beyond mere consular duties; it is a diplomatic exercise,” he said.
Earlier, Bishop Adegbite thanked the Minister for the warm reception and shared his own interfaith background, noting that his maternal grandmother was a Muslim and that he still bears the Muslim name.
“Like you mentioned, religion should not be an issue in Nigeria. Many people, especially from the South-West, understand this. My Muslim name is Abdulmaroof, and whenever I visit home in Oyo in my cassock, that is what they call me. Every Ileya, I must provide rams for them,” he said.
The NCPC boss emphasized that beyond ensuring successful pilgrimages, the Commission’s mandate includes fostering national unity, adding that President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated commitment to peace and religious harmony.
