By Doyin Ojosipe
In a bid to address incessant religious and ethnic clashes in the country, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) on Thursday, January 23, 2020 launched a project on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and Interreligious Dialogue.
The project which is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is meant to arm religious leaders with the tool to navigate the media and engage their followers and those of other faith to foster peace and understanding.
In his welcome address, Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL said, “There are genuine fears of religious conflicts breaking out in Nigeria which could threaten, not just the peace but the unity of the country if not quickly checked.
“Nigeria has increasingly degenerated from a multi-ethnic, multi-religious but united society into a theatre of unhealthy rivalry between Christianity and Islam. Religious and ethnic stereotyping and hate speeches are on the increase with dire consequences on national unity and nation building.”
He noted that social media was one source of concern as it is being used to peddle fake news, hate speech and messages aimed at causing disaffection among Nigerians.
“This is the time religious leaders should be made to recognize and respond to groups or individuals that are using the internet to promote stereotypes, preach religious extremism and promote violence,” Onumah said. AFRICMIL seeks to achieve this by training religious leaders on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and Interreligious dialogue, he noted.
According to Onumah, AFRICMIL has been working for many years with its partners in Nigeria and outside to create awareness about the importance of MIL and to promote the relevance of MIL as a catalyst for peaceful communication and a culture of dialogue, particularly on social networks.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter, Reverend John Hayab and the Imam of Juma’at Mosque, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr Mohammad Ali, said, there was need for religious leaders to live according to what they preach and also teach their followers to have respect for the beliefs of other religions. They lauded AFRICMIL for the initiative.
In her contribution, the chairperson of Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Benue State chapter, Hajiya Hauwa Isa, urged religious leaders to be wary of preaching hate or inciting messages that could cause religious crisis. She said such crisis, which always lead to loss of lives and properties affects women and children more.
The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) represented by his Special Adviser, David Akoji, commended the initiative and pledged the agency’s support, adding that the project will go a long way in addressing the issues of religious violence in the country.
