Honoured and Grateful!
I am deeply humbled to receive the Peace Ambassador Award from the Civil Society Network in Kano for Peace and Interfaith Matters.
This recognition is not just a personal honour; it is a testament to the collective efforts of everyone committed to promoting peace, freedom of religion or belief, interfaith understanding, and social cohesion in our communities.
Kano continues to demonstrate that dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation remain powerful tools for building a peaceful and united society. Indeed, Kano, you are on top!
My sincere appreciation to the organizers, partners, religious leaders, civil society actors, and all peace advocates who continue to work tirelessly for a better Nigeria.
May God bless Kano State, bless Nigeria, and grant our land lasting peace, justice, and harmony.
#PeaceAmbassador #InterfaithDialogue #PeaceBuilding #FreedomOfReligion #Kano #FaithAndFreedomAfrica #PeaceInNigeria #TogetherForPeace
Today at the Faith & Freedom Africa (FFA) TownHall Meeting in Kano, we reflected on an important principle of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB): religious freedom is not only about claiming rights for ourselves, but also respecting the rights of others #FaithAndFreedomAfrica
Faith and Freedom Africa brings you "Religious Freedom Youth Advocacy Cohort"
They will be recruiting 50 young digital advocates to promote freedom of religion or belief, interreligious peace and responsible online engagement.
Application is FREE.
Visit https://t.co/7fkwq82uaX for more information.
Whatever one has become by the votes of others means that others too can rise, lead, and even surpass him.
That is the beauty of democracy.
The ballot is the great leveler.
No matter how powerful a person appears, no one is above the collective voice of the people. Power belongs ultimately to the citizens, and through the ballot they can reward, replace, or redirect leadership.
Democracy may be slow and imperfect, but it remains one of the strongest tools for balancing power and giving ordinary people extraordinary influence.
Freedom of Religion: Beyond Tolerance to Recognition of Minority Rights
What is lacking in Nigeria today is not simply respect for religion, especially between the dominant traditions of Christianity and Islam. The deeper challenge lies in the failure to fully acknowledge and protect the rights of religious minorities. A society may appear tolerant at the surface, but true freedom is measured by how it treats those whose beliefs fall outside the majority.
Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), as guaranteed under Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and affirmed in international instruments such as the and the , recognizes the right of every individual to believe, not to believe, to practice alone or in community, and to change their religion. This right also extends to holding beliefs that may not align with dominant or popular views. It is not a privilege granted by society; it is an inherent right rooted in human dignity and conscience.
At the same time, the exercise of this freedom must exist within the broader framework of human rights. No belief or practice should violate the rights of others, including the right to life, freedom of association, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression. This balance is essential to maintaining order while preserving liberty.
In Nigeria, however, minority religious groups often find themselves excluded or insufficiently recognized. Whether in access to places of worship, representation in public institutions, or equal treatment in schools and communities, the gap between legal guarantees and lived realities remains significant. This disconnect breeds not only inequality but also suspicion and tension within society.
A society that genuinely upholds Freedom of Religion creates space for diversity. It accepts that individuals and groups can differ in belief and still belong equally within the same national community. Freedom of religion, therefore, is not merely about preventing conflict; it is about enabling peace of mind and building a stable and inclusive society. Where people are allowed, encouraged, and supported to express their beliefs freely, the result is often greater social cohesion and development.
The responsibility to protect and promote this freedom does not rest on government alone. It is a collective duty that involves institutions, religious leaders, and citizens alike. Respecting difference, even in disagreement, is fundamental to sustaining peace.
In the end, peace is not achieved by suppressing differences but by recognizing them, protecting them, and ensuring that every individual, regardless of belief, has an equal place in society.
Freedom of Religion: A Call for Responsibility
Freedom of religion is not just about holding your own beliefs , it also means respecting the beliefs of others.
You may disagree with what someone believes, but that does not make their belief any less valid. The right to believe does not give anyone the right to insult or demean another person’s faith.
At the same time, no individual has the authority to judge others based on personal convictions alone. Rights and wrongs are not determined by private interpretation, they are guided by the rule of law.
The law exists to protect everyone. It guards against extra-judicial actions and ensures that no one becomes a judge based on personal belief.
Respect belief. Uphold dignity. Trust the law.
I this week had the privilege of speaking at the LCCN Bonotem Diocese Convention in Ganye, where I engaged on a topic that is increasingly shaping our collective future the impact of the digital age on youth within the Church.
One point stood out clearly in my reflections: we must remain committed to learning and adaptation. The digital era is not a distant reality; it is the present context in which our young people are growing, thinking, and expressing their faith.
For the Church, this calls for openness not a departure from core values, but a willingness to understand and responsibly engage emerging trends. When we fail to adapt, we risk being unprepared for the very changes already influencing our communities.
The task before us is not to resist change, but to guide it. To equip our youth with discernment. To ensure that faith remains relevant, lived, and impactful in a rapidly evolving world.
The future will not wait for us. We must grow with it intentionally and wisely.
#LCCN #YouthMinistry #DigitalAge #FaithAndTechnology #Leadership #ChurchInTransition
@renoomokri St. John's Church in Numan Adamawa State was built and commissioned in 1919. The missionary, Dr Niel Bronnum arrived in Numan on October 5, 1913.
📷Photo: Thousands are protesting in Kano because of Trump’s comment. Yet the same people never protest insecurity, poverty, or the Almajiri children begging for food. They only find their voice when it feeds sentiment, not when it saves lives. Truth is, they deserve their leaders.
Country of Particular Concern: What Next?
President Trump’s announcement of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) has finally put to rest months of speculation and, perhaps, diffused some tension around this sensitive issue. Now that the most feared—or much anticipated—designation has happened, the question before us is clear: What can Nigeria do?
This moment calls for sober reflection and responsible action.
The Government, civil society, and citizens must rise to the challenge of ensuring freedom of religion or belief—not merely because of what America or the international community thinks, but because it is our sacred duty to protect lives, dignity, and justice for all.
The Government must take urgent and decisive steps to investigate the issues behind this designation, address the underlying narratives, and ensure that no Nigerian is killed, targeted, discriminated against, or persecuted on account of their belief.
The Civil Society must intensify advocacy, engage constructively, and hold institutions accountable to ensure Nigeria meets its human rights obligations—since freedom of religion intersects with all other freedoms.
And the people of Nigeria, especially religious leaders, must stand together, speak truth to power, and promote actions that uphold peace, human dignity, and national unity.
This is not a time for blame or denial—it is a time for renewed commitment to justice, coexistence, and reform.
Together, we can ensure that Nigeria emerges stronger, freer, and more united.
#Nigeria #ReligiousFreedom #HumanRights #InterfaithPeace #Leadership #FoRB #PeaceBuilding
For us in the #FoRB circle we have called and are calling for a genuine duty bearer action to ensure #ReligiousFreedom and protection of rights of Nigerians. We hope at this point we will take action internally to help us shape the narrative and contribute to greater human right in Nigeria
At the town hall meetings, we discussed the legal framework of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), beginning with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and extending to Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). FoRB does not protect religion; it protects human beings, because it is a fundamental human right.
#FFAFoRBTownhallMeeting #Jalingo #FoRB
When people say Islam supports radicalism or terrorism, I find it hard not to laugh.
Take the case of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the young Nigerian who tried to b0mb a plane. His father, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, was a respected Muslim and one of the first to notice his son’s disturbing change. He did not protect him. He went to the authorities and reported his own child, hoping to save lives.
If Islam truly supported terr0rism, would a devout Muslim father do that? Would he risk his own name and reputation to stop his son?
Radicalism has no place in Islam. Those who twist the faith for violence do so out of ignorance, not belief, to feed their M@dness
In a statement released on 17 September 2025, the LWF condemns the Israeli offensive on Gaza City, calls for global action to stop the attacks, protect civilians, and secure humanitarian access.
Read the full statement: https://t.co/oUhLXpTzNR
#lutheranworld