Interfaith Dialogue Key to Tackling Nigeria’s Insecurity, Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu asserted on Saturday that interfaith dialogue is the sole sustainable path to resolving Nigeria's persistent security challenges and reinforcing national unity. Speaking at his Abuja residence while receiving Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Tinubu emphasized his administration's dedication to nurturing peace, harmony, and tolerance across the nation's varied religious groups.

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My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal.

Tinubu highlighted his government's ongoing collaboration with religious leaders to foster peaceful coexistence. "My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal," he stated, urging them to persist in their efforts to promote peace and tolerance. He also recalled his long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church, particularly during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, acknowledging its significant contributions to education, healthcare, and humanitarian services.

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Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that.

Archbishop Gallagher, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, conveyed the Pope's appreciation to Tinubu for attending his inauguration. He noted Nigeria's strategic importance to the Catholic Church due to its substantial Catholic community and marked the occasion by commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See. Gallagher expressed optimism about a future papal visit to Nigeria.

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I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us, and the country is benefiting from it.

President Tinubu assured Gallagher of the administration's commitment to safeguarding freedom of worship, citing his wife's role as a pastor in an evangelical church as an example of religious inclusivity. He also detailed progress in combating insecurity through intensified military operations, improved surveillance, and increased resource deployment. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of youth development investments in preventing radicalization and terrorist recruitment.

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We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.