The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo
has called for religious tolerance in Nigeria.
He said that President Muhammadu
Buhari was an embodiment of such.
Osinbajo explained that Buhari is
so tolerant that he allowed the Villa Chapel to be situated behind his kitchen.
He spoke at the Opening of the
General Assembly of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Abuja
and was contained in a statement signed by his
spokesperson, Laolu Akande.
The statement titled: “VP: How we
hold Villa Church Service besides Buhari’s kitchen every Sunday” reads: “Every
Sunday, my family and over 100 Christians attend service in the Chapel at the
Villa.
“The Chapel is located in the
premises of the President and his family. It is located a few seconds away from
the First Lady’s kitchen. Sometimes when I see the President on a Sunday
morning, he asks me whether the service is over already or I am escaping from
the service!
“That is the sort of tolerance
that we need in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society and it is the duty of
leaders to show that sort of example.”
Read Osinbajo’s remark in full
below:
PROTOCOLS
It is a great honour to be here
at this opening ceremony of the General Assembly of the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs. This Council is of particular importance to us as
a nation because it not only promotes solidarity among Nigeria’s Muslims, but
also serves as an important intermediary between government and the Muslim
community and between Muslims and persons of other faiths.
As the highest decision-making
body of the Council, I offer to you this morning, both a commendation and a
challenge.
First, the commendation to you
for the great leadership you have shown in galvanizing the Muslim community in
Nigeria despite denominational differences. But also, for making the Council
available for the promotion of interfaith peace, and religious tolerance in
Nigeria.
The challenge stems from the
theme of this meeting which is “Islam and National Development.” Permit me to
put the topic in context so that we do not miss the essence of the topic. So, I
recast the theme to read as follows quote, “The Role of Islam in the
Development of a Multi-religious and Multi-ethnic Nation.” This is the gravamen
of the matter and I believe my brother, Isa Pantami (Honourable Minister of
Communications and Digital Economy who delivered the keynote address) did an excellent
job.
Decades ago in this same country,
it would not have been a major topic. Leaders in the first republic did not
consider religious intolerance as a major national issue, they were more
concerned about the issues that touched everyone regardless of religion or
ethnicity; they were concerned about providing food, shelter, education and
decent livelihoods. But today, no true leader can ignore the threat that
religious bigotry and intolerance poses for the development of our nation. That
is just the way it is.
But it is my respectful view that
the burden of ensuring that faith promotes national development as opposed to
impeding it is on leaders. This is the challenge I pose to you today.
A few months ago, at an
interfaith gathering, I told the story of an occurrence on the 20th of June
2018. Christians in their village Nshar Yelwa, Plateau State were attacked by a
horde of persons who were said to be Muslims, who had attacked other villages
and had killed several Berom farmers who were mainly Christians. As Imam
Abdullahi was finishing mid-day prayers, he and his congregation heard gunshots
and went outside to see members of the village’s Christian community running
helter-skelter. Instinctively, the Imam ushered 262 Christians into the mosque
and some into his home next to the mosque. The Imam then went outside to
confront the gunmen. He refused to allow them to enter, pleading with them to
spare the Christians inside the mosque and his home. When the assailants were
adamant, he told them that they would have to kill him first if they were going
to kill the Christians, he had given refuge. They eventually left without
killing any of the Christians in the mosque or in his home. Imam Abdullahi’s
selflessness and sacrifice saved the lives of hundreds of people of a faith
different from his own.
Imam Abdullahi not only refused
to give up the Christians he had given refuge; he even offered his life in
exchange for theirs. His moral courage is rooted in a profound recognition of
our common humanity. His compassion, empathy and selflessness are an example to
us as people of faith.
Jesus Christ told a story
somewhat similar to this. Someone had asked Him the question, “how could he
attain eternal life?” And Jesus replied by asking him what the law said on the
matter. The man responded that the law says “Love God with all your heart and
mind and love your neighbour as yourself.” Jesus then said, “Good, you go and
obey that law and you will live.” However, the man asked him, “But who is my
neighbour?” Jesus then told him a parable which later came to be known as the
story of the Good Samaritan.
It is the story of a man who was
traveling between Jerusalem and Jericho, and was attacked by thieves. His
property was stolen and he was beaten almost to death. As he lay on the road, a
certain priest came by, saw him and walked by on the other side of the road. So
also, a Levite, came by and walked by on the other side of the road. Then a
Samaritan came by, (Samaritans were regarded as unbelievers by the Jews)
stopped and took care of the injured man, putting him on his horse and then
took him to an Inn, leaving the Inn-keeper money to take care of him until he
returned. Jesus then asked the man, “of the three men who saw the injured man
who was his neighbour?” The man answered that it was the Samaritan who had
compassion on Him. Jesus then said to him go and do likewise.
Jesus said go and behave with
love and compassion in the way that the Samaritan did. All leaders, and this is
my challenge to you today, need to learn from the simple, but deeply profound
actions of the Good Samaritan and Chief Imam Abubakar. Both of them showed
great love and compassion. They were not concerned about the race or religion
of those whose lives they saved or whose properties were destroyed. All that
mattered was that they were flesh and blood like themselves. They were simply
ready to make any sacrifice for another human being.
We are at a historic juncture in
the existence of our nation. Here and there are religious and tribal tensions.
Many are beating the drums of ethnic and religious superiority. Some even seek
to divide the nation into ethnic zones. Yet our constitution speaks in the
clearest and highest terms of our national commitment to the equality of all
Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion or status. It speaks of the
imperative of all individuals and governments to respect the rights and dignity
of every Nigerian. Our constitution speaks of freedom of worship, the liberty
to belong to a faith of one’s choice and even change that faith without
consequence. But constitutional declarations mean nothing unless there are men
and women ready to make the personal sacrifices to bridge the gap between
rhetoric and constitutional ideals. Such men and women are not usually very
many. But they do not have to be many to make a difference.
Let me add one more story, a few
months ago, a leader of a large Christian congregation in a Northern State
sought audience with me. I asked him why, he said he wanted to speak to me
about the Governor of his State. I assumed it was going to be a complaint
because the governor of the State is a Muslim and I thought it might perhaps,
be some conflict between Christians and Muslims in the community.
But it wasn’t. He said,” Your
Excellency, I think the government should give national honors to those who
promote the unity of the country.” He then told me how the Governor of his
State had rebuilt several churches that were damaged by religious extremists
who described themselves as Muslims. I was shocked first, by the fact that here
was the leader of a church, asking that the Government should honour the
Governor of his State for doing something that is unprecedented.
Yet there are States where
Governors refuse to grant certificates of occupancy for the building of
churches or places of religious gathering in outright violation of the
constitution they swore to uphold.
Every Sunday, my family and over
100 Christians attend service in the Chapel at the Villa. The Chapel is located
in the premises of the President and his family. It is located a few seconds
away from the First Lady’s kitchen. Sometimes when I see the President on a
Sunday morning, he asks me whether the service is over already or I am escaping
from the service! That is the sort of tolerance that we need in a multi-ethnic,
multi-religious society and it is the duty of leaders to show that sort of
example.
It is the courage of leaders to
live up to the ideals of their faith and their sworn commitments that
invariably build nations. Leaders must live up to the commitments to which they
swear, especially political leaders.
Nations are built by the
sacrifices, the hardwork of leaders who do not care even if they are condemned
by persons of their own religion or ethnicity, so long as they are confident
that they act in obedience to the oaths they swore and to the Almighty God.
Such men and women are few, but the profundity of their actions invariably
transform communities and nations as they bend the arc of history in the
direction of unity, peace and progress.
I have observed for many years
the words and actions of his Royal Highness, the Sultan of Sokoto, how he has
sought to build bridges with other faiths, locally and internationally, this is
as it should be. The challenge of nation building is not the noise of the
religious bigots and nihilists, it is the silence and inaction of leaders of
different faiths who know better, those who say and do nothing, and to whom we
appeal today. Your words and actions may make the difference between peace and
tragedy.
The Quran proclaims, “Human
beings, we created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations
and tribes, so that you may know one another.” (Surah 49:13).
These words are important because
they point us in the direction of our diversity, but that diversity is a source
of strength, knowledge and unity and our nation at this point, requires men and
women who look at our faith, Muslims and Christians who see first brothers and
sisters, who see first human beings before we see faith.
It is now my very special
pleasure and privilege to declare open this conference.
Thank you very much.
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