The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has commended the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, for promoting religious tolerance in the country.
Jonathan gave the commendation in Abuja at the public presentation of a book entitled: “Seeking Common Grounds: Inter-Religious Dialogue in Africa.”
The book, which is a collection of the cardinal’s essays on religious harmony, was organised by the Abuja Archdiocese as part of activities to mark Onaiyekan’s 70th birthday.
According to her, Onaiyekan is a man who has lived all his life in service to humanity and played a very important role in the peace process of Nigeria.
Jonathan said: “Since his ordination as a priest in 1969, the Archbishop has been a bridge-builder, a social crusader and a champion of the cause of the less privileged in the society.
“Here is a man who believes in God and not in what any man can do for him.
“He does not believe in material things.
“The Cardinal is a man known to be candid in his views and steadfast in his faith.
“Because of his outstanding leadership qualities, His Eminence has been a rallying point for religious and spiritual leaders in Nigeria, irrespective of their creed or faith,” she added.
The president’s wife said the book would provide useful information in the nation’s quest to find lasting peace.
Jonathan added: “This book will serve as a good reference material for inter-religious understanding, which will facilitate unity, peace and love among our people.
“It will also provide useful information that will enhance the quest to find lasting peace on the Continent of Africa.”
In his remarks, Onaiyekan called for the proper use of religion, especially by leaders, to achieve peace, unity and development.
He said there was an urgent need to liberate religion from the grip of selfish individuals who exploit it to the detriment of majority of Nigerians.
He added: “But every asset needs to be properly exploited and utilised for the good of the people and to the greater glory of God.
“This is the challenge before us in respect of abundant natural resources.
“We can see evidence of the misuse of our asset of religion in Nigeria.
“The challenge before us is to make sure that religion is liberated from the manipulation and activities of extremists so that it serves positive roles in our society.”
Onaiyekan said that the way forward for Nigeria’s lingering crisis of ethno-religious conflict was to “seek and discover the common grounds”.
He said that all stakeholders must work harder than before to restore harmony in areas devastated by religious intolerance, especially as Nigeria moves closer toward the 2015 general election.
He said: “It is now more urgent than ever as we struggle to restore reasonable security to every part of our nation against murderous gangs that kill and maim and claiming to be acting in the name of religion.
“We are seeking to see our way through the political clouds gathering in the horizon towards the year ahead and pregnant with critical political choices.”
Goodwill messages were presented by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto; Senator Nkechi Nwoagu, who represented the Senate President, David Mark’ and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.
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