Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were two presentations made by the Subject Experts on Middle East/North Africa and Turkey and Southern Africa. The first presentation was made by Brig Gen S Musa Subject experts on Middle East/North Africa and Turkey focused his presentation on how, Bishop of Kuching Meets Egypt’s Grand Imam to Strengthen Interfaith Ties. The Rt Revd Danald Jute, Bishop of Kuching and Chairman of the Anglican Interfaith Commission, recently met with His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Professor Dr Ahmed Mohamed El-Tayeb, in Cairo. The meeting, held at Al-Azhar, reaffirmed the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to fostering interfaith understanding, cooperation and peaceful coexistence. Reflecting on the meeting, Bishop Danald expressed his gratitude and deep appreciation for the Grand Imam’s insights. According to him, -“It is such a great honour to be received today by His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, whom I first met in 2018,”. ‘’ Greatly humbled by his eminence’s gracious and open sharing during the course of our meeting. I feel especially touched by his thought and concerns for the building of better understanding and strengthening of relations between people of different religious affiliations.’’
During their conversation, the Grand Imam emphasized two key points. Firstly, he stated that religion should not be used or manipulated for political gain. Secondly, he affirmed that religious freedom is a fundamental right, noting that all individuals should be free to practice their faith without restriction. The meeting in Cairo reflects a growing and deepening commitment to interfaith dialogue, particularly at a time when religious harmony is needed more than ever. Bishop Danald’s leadership within the Anglican Interfaith Commission continues to strengthen relationships between Christian and Muslim communities’ globally. This call, adopted at the 2022 Lambeth Conference, underscores the Anglican Communion’s commitment to peace-making, religious freedom and collaboration with people of different faiths for the common good. Concluding his reflections, Bishop Danald gave thanks for the opportunity to engage in this significant dialogue.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen S Musa stressed that, the world and Africa in particular has become pluralistic such that there are many political parties, ethnic groups, cultures and religions prevailing and coexisting. Many West African countries such as Nigeria are heterogenous and pluralistic in nature. Irrespective of differing religious, political and social affiliations,
Nigerians somehow find ways and means to live together peacefully, minor and in some cases major instabilities here and there notwithstanding. These instabilities make relations with each other somehow difficult. However, since religion permeates the lives of Nigerian’s interfaith dialogue can serve as a remedy to social and religious instability in Nigeria. It is in this context that the report of Bishop of Kuching meeting with Grand Imam of Egypt to strengthen interfaith ties is relevant and a good lesson for Nigeria to further strengthen, enhance or review interfaith relations across the nation.
Instructively, Inter-religious dialogue which is simply a constructive engagement between people of different religious traditions in a condition and environment of mutual trust and acceptance has gained prominence in Nigeria against the milieu of cultural and religious plurality as well as several other issues of violence, vandalism, killings and the disruption of peaceful co-existence of the numerous religious groups in the country. The complication of diverse faith, beliefs, traditions, culture, language and the threat of religious fundamentalism and extremism, have brought about many ugly flashpoints and situations in many areas across Nigeria. Consequently, there is the need for further commitment of the various stakeholders towards addressing the challenges occasioned by this plurality of religious faiths in terms of the efforts required from religious organizations, traditional institutions, government and non-governmental organizations. Since religion plays a great role in the political, economic, social and security of Nigerians, there could be no sustainable peace among Nigerians without constant dialogue. Despite the provisions of the Constitution of the FRN, Article 10 of the Constitution states that “The Government of the Federation or a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.” Yet, Nigeria, a complex nation with a rich tapestry of religions, has seen continued episodes of religious tension and conflict.
He recommended that, Federal Ministry For Education should incorporate Interfaith Education into School Curriculum to promote understanding, tolerance and respect for different faiths among Nigerians.
The second presentation was made by Col OR Akerele (Rtd) Subject experts on Southern Africa Centered his presentation on how, three Eswatini chiefdoms overcome rivalry to preserve indigenous forest.
Forest preservation refers to the management of forest resources to yield sustainable benefits to present generations while maintaining its potentials to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. For a renewable natural resource such as a natural forest, its preservation covers the controlled use of the resources within the forest in such a way that the people reap optimal benefits and preserve their heritage ensuring the forest maintain its capacity to renew itself. Therefore, preservation of natural forests ensures continuity of the benefits derived from them. In Nigeria, the decline in the total forested area is now resulting in a wide spread of concerns from preservation at both national and local levels.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Col OR Akerele (Rtd) pointed out that, In Nigeria Forest Preservation and Management are covered under the National Policy on Environment. The policy came into effects in 1991 and revised in 2016. The Nigeria’s National Policy on the Environment (NPE) aims to protect the environment and conserve natural resources for sustainable development. The Policy was revised in 2016 to correct the inadequacies and omissions of the 2011 edition. The goals of the NPE are: Ensuring a quality environment for good health and well-being, Conserving and use natural resources for present and future generations,Restoring, maintaining and enhancing ecosystem and processes, Promoting sustainable use of natural resources, Maintaining biological diversity, Raising public awareness and encouraging participation in environmental improvement. There are four main types of forest in Nigeria, namely the Savannah Woodland, Lowland Rainforest, Fresh Water Swap forest and the Mangrove forest. Nigeria also has some secondary forests which are created after extraction, abandonment or rehabilitation of the main forests.
Each category is a unique ecosystem with its peculiar rules, wildlife and huge natural potentials spanning through various forests and savannahs. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) further states that there are 1,129 forests in Nigeria spread across the six geo-political zones. Out of these 1,129 forests, over 200 are unnamed but managed by local authorities and traditional institutions; mostly benefitting from the proceeds of illegal logging. Furthermore, at a conference theme: Preserving Nigeria’s Forests and Biodiversity held at the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan on 17 Feb 25, the DG Dr Zacharia Yaduma said “Preserving the forest enhances Nigeria’s biodiversity thus making the country vibrant, for other businesses including tourism. We can not abandon nature because of culture, as culture and nature goes hand in hand. Culture promotes nature and vice versa. Forests in Nigeria can therefore be preserved through conservation and promotion of culture.”
He recommended that, the National Orientation Agency; in collaboration with state governments should embark on community education and awareness on the need to preserve the forests, highlighting the ills of illegal logging and poaching of wildlife.
