The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr Daniel Okoh, have called on Nigerians to reject hate speech and embrace dialogue, insisting that the nation’s religious diversity should be used to build peace rather than fuel division.
The appeal was made as Christian and Muslim leaders gathered in Abuja to unveil the Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC), a framework designed to combat hate speech, promote responsible religious leadership and strengthen peaceful coexistence amid rising concerns over violence and divisive rhetoric.
The Sultan, represented by Prof. Muhammad Isah Maishanu, urged faith leaders to become builders of peace. “Religious leaders have a sacred responsibility to use their influence to foster peace rather than deepen divisions,” he said, warning that inflammatory rhetoric continues to drive conflicts in many communities.
He described the Code as a practical framework for deepening cooperation between Christians and Muslims, adding: “Dialogue remains the most effective tool for resolving differences,” and that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be seen as a source of strength rather than division.
Archbishop Okoh, represented by Most Rev. Dr Benebo Fubara-Manuel, described the launch as a significant milestone in the country’s peacebuilding efforts. “The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to fostering harmony and addressing the root causes of violence and intolerance across the country,” he said.
He urged clerics to translate the Code into practical action through sermons and community initiatives, and appealed to government institutions, civil society, traditional rulers and the media to support its implementation. “Faith leaders must continue to champion dialogue, reconciliation and justice while discouraging messages capable of inciting violence or promoting religious hatred,” he added.
The conference was jointly convened by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), CAN, the NSCIA and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, in partnership with the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), and coordinated by the IDFP’s co-chairmen, Rev. Abainatus Akila Hamman and Ameer Muhammad Jameel Muhammad.
Held as part of the 8th General Assembly of the IDFP under the theme ‘Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation-Building,’ the gathering drew clerics, government officials, peacebuilding practitioners, civil society groups and youth leaders. Organisers said the Code outlines ten core values for Christian-Muslim engagement, including mutual respect, protection of human dignity, justice, integrity, transparency, compassion and the rejection of hate speech, with participants resolving to promote it across churches, mosques, schools, media organisations and communities nationwide.
Source: Vanguard.
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