“The hunger we have in Nigeria today is not limited to Christians or Muslims. Hunger does not know your religion”.
- Photo: Professor Isaac Olawale Albert*
The Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, has said that people need to stop misusing religion to divide the society but instead use it to foster peace and harmony.
He stated this while making his presentation at the Special Guest Lecture organised by the Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University.
The Lecture which was themed; “Beyond Mutual Distrust: Religion, Peace and Our Common Futures” was held on Tuesday, 16th July 2024 at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
In his presentation, Professor Albert advised that people should not allow religion to stand between themselves and the process of finding solutions to the problems of Nigeria. He added that when it comes to mutual distrust, religion plays a negative role in the affairs of a nation. According to him, “…what we are facing is technically called a tragedy of the commons. The hunger we have in Nigeria today is not limited to Christians or Muslims. Hunger does not know your religion”.
The Professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies, asserted that peace is central to every religion and the lack of fear of God is the reason why some people use religion as a tool for violence. He noted the root causes of religious violence to be truth, rituals, and strategic engagement and further implored everyone to work together to strategically restructure our society so that it can be orderly as well as solve the problems of ravaging poverty, hunger, political rascality, lack of water, freedom, etc in the country.
Professor Albert concluded his thought-provoking and stimulating lecture by imploring individuals to be the change they want to see in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Adenike Boyo, in her address opined that “to achieve the progress we deeply desire as a nation, we must set aside our religious differences and live together as one people. It is crucial that we consciously change the narratives that breed suspicion and instead promote understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliations”.
The Professor of Physiology implored those who are educated and work in educational institutions to use their positions to enlighten others, as ignorance is a root cause of inter-religious crises. “The media must also play a pivotal role by promoting positive stories of interfaith harmony and cooperation among Nigerians”, she said.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Taiwo M. Salisu, in his speech, stated that peace is paramount in every society, a requirement of progress, and the prerequisite of the continuity of the human race. He added that religious fanaticism and fundamentalism, which results in particularism and exclusivism, are major challenges to peaceful harmony in Nigeria.
In his words, “…there is an inexhaustible list of ethno-religious crises since the inception of this great country. Bearing in mind that Nigeria is a conglomeration of independently existing nations with their different religions, we must always devise means to ensure peace in the face of ethnic, race, linguistic, colour and religious pluralism”.
The Head, Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Professor Kabir O. Paramole, in his address, stated that the lecture serves as a platform to dissect the challenges and opportunities that are imminent as we strive to alienate mutual distrust in our society. “In a world continually characterised by division, insecurity, enmity, and conflict, it is imperative that we explore pathways to peace and shared futures, through the lenses of religions, peace, and intellectual discourse”, he said.
Professor Paramole urged everyone present at the lecture to listen with rapt attention and to think deeply about the insights shared by the guest lecturer, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert. “Let this event be a catalyst for new ideas and collaborations that will further our collective mission of promoting global peace, empathy, compassion, love, trust, and understanding”, he added.
The Special Guest of Honour and Commandant, Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), Major General Wisdom Etuk, in his remarks, talked about the spectrum of peace and conflict, noting that conflict is inevitable in every society. He stated that in between peace and conflict is the political process as politics drives everything.
In his words, “religion is being exploited by mischievous leaders to cause distrust. There is no need for distrust and religious bigotry but there is a need to understand and accept one another for humanity and for peace to reign”.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of appreciation plaques to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Adenike Boyo, the guest lecturer, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, and the Commandant, Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), Major General Wisdom Etuk.
Major General Wisdom Etuk also presented souvenirs and copies of the College’s publication to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Adenike Boyo, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Olufunsho Omobitan, in appreciation of the University’s continuous support to the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management.
The event was well attended by members of the University Management, the Zonal Commander, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos, Dr. Olasupo Solomon, staff, students, and guests.
