President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening interfaith dialogue and working closely with religious leaders to foster peace, unity and tolerance across Nigeria.
The President made the pledge on Saturday while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher at his residence in Abuja. The Vatican envoy, who was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, is in Nigeria as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
Speaking during the meeting, President Tinubu described interfaith dialogue as one of the most effective tools for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through cooperation among people of different faiths.
The President recalled his longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church, dating back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, where he supported the return of mission schools to their original owners after they had been taken over during military rule.
He praised the Church’s enduring contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services, describing its role in national development as invaluable.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. It was a historic moment,” the President said.
“I have seen his commitment to promoting world peace, and we need his spiritual leadership at a time when millions across the world look up to him. I look forward to welcoming him to Nigeria.”
President Tinubu said his administration would continue to promote peaceful coexistence among adherents of all religions, while encouraging bishops and other religious leaders to sustain their message of peace, tolerance and national unity.
He also reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting freedom of worship, noting that Nigeria remains a country where citizens are free to practise their faith without discrimination.
“As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor in an evangelical church. That alone reflects the religious harmony that exists within my own family and helps dispel misconceptions about religious divisions in our country,” he said.
On security, the President said the Nigerian military has recorded significant gains against criminal and terrorist groups, adding that his administration is investing more resources in intelligence gathering, surveillance and security operations, particularly in previously ungoverned areas.
He stressed that the government is equally focused on empowering young Nigerians through economic opportunities and development programmes to prevent them from being recruited or exploited by terrorist organisations.
Archbishop Gallagher said his visit coincided with the celebration of five decades of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, describing Nigeria as one of the Catholic Church’s most important partners because of its large and vibrant Catholic population.
He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation to President Tinubu for attending his inauguration and praised the steady growth of Veritas University in Abuja, which was established by the Catholic community.
Describing Nigeria as “the heart of Africa,” the Archbishop commended the country’s bishops for their leadership across the continent and applauded President Tinubu’s efforts to restore peace, particularly through ongoing military operations against insecurity.
He also thanked the Nigerian government for its continued cooperation with the Catholic Church, including facilitating visas for bishops and responding positively to the Church’s needs.
Archbishop Gallagher disclosed that he looks forward to receiving Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and expressed confidence that the current engagement would pave the way for more high-level exchanges between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Also present at the meeting were Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo.
firstweekly
Read More