By Doyin Ojosipe
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Monday, March 10, 2020, launched a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training manual for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.
The launch of the manual in Kaduna State, follows the commencement of the organisation’s project tagged ‘MIL and Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue’ launched on January 23, 2020.
In his welcome address, Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, said the meeting was “to formally present a training manual developed by AFRICMIL to help religious leaders and their followers to navigate the social media, overcome the challenges and promote peace and religious coexistence in Nigeria.”
The project which is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), was initiated to encourage peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic groups and religions in the country.
Onumah said although the country had so many issues to tackle, interreligious conflict was the biggest, as the battle for supremacy between religions threatens the peace and stability of communities and the country at large.
He observed that religious leaders have continued to preach divisive and hate speeches making their followers to go to the extreme by unleashing mayhem on Others with little or no restraint.
According to him, “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 as well as hate speeches is on the increase with dire consequences on national unity and nation building.”
He said social media also contributes hugely to the tension among religious as some leaders and mischievous persons use social media in disseminating information that promotes hate, mistrust and chaos.
According to him, “More than ever, and because of the enormous powers they wield, 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.”
He noted that the MIL training manual for interreligious and intercultural dialogue will help religious and cultural leaders who play a teaching and guiding role in communities to “critically analyse information and news media content, understand risks and opportunities associated with the internet, and become responsible and informed consumers and transmitters of information and opinion.”
Similarly, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, Rev John Hayab, said while the dialogue was much needed in the state, it would achieve the desired result when done with utmost sincerity.
Imam Mohammed Isah, Director of Intervention at the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna State, commended AFRICMIL for the initiative, adding that it was high time religious leaders accepted social media and also learnt how to use it for the benefit of their followers.
Addressing participants, Dr Garba Abari, Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), noted that national cohesion and mutual respect would not only bring about peaceful coexistence but will also help to foster development.
He said, “The synergy that national cohesion brings to the table is the sort that modern societies leverage for their development. The resultant mutual respect and love among citizens, on its part, is an invaluable contribution to promoting peace in Nigeria through our common heritage which signposts our common destiny.”
In his remarks, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, noted that, “If there was ever a time for dialogue, it is now. Inter-religious and intercultural dialogue may be challenging but right now, they are very necessary processes. Our objective is peace, and when we have peace emanating from a base of mutual respect, understanding and coexistence, then we can clear the atmosphere of choking sentiments that breed insecurity.”
