By Israel Ade Dunia
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor Enoch Adeboye has been appointed patron of the Ecumenical Synod of Bishops, Archbishops and Senior Clergy Inc. (ESBAASC)
His appointment took place at the international conference of the group which was held from August 22-25, at the Emmanuel Park of the RCCG Redemption Camp.
The theme of the conference is “Religious Tolerance in Nigeria and Across the Nations of the World”
The conference x-rayed what religious tolerance is, its challenges, and how to achieve it
Adeboye’s appointment
At the event, the International Prelate and Chief Host, Archbishop Professor Kehinde Matthew Olubunmi nominated Pastor Adeboye as the Patron of ESBAASC and Archbishop Prof. Mary Ajisafe as the Matron. Their appointments were unanimously endorsed by the gathering with a standing ovation.
He explained that the ESBAASC had been partnering with world organisations to ensure that there is religious tolerance in Nigeria.
He said once religious tolerance is imbibed in Nigeria as a culture, the practice will spread to other parts of Africa.
In his address at the event, Pastor Adeboye who was represented by the RCCG National Overseer Emeritus, Pastor Joseph Obayemi lamented the sordid situation in present-day Nigeria compared to what obtained in the past.
He recalled how he would fast during Ramadan and ate Moslem foods and visit them while growing up as a youth amidst Christian, Moslem and traditional religions and other faiths.
Religious tolerance
Giving insight into what religious tolerance is, he said, “It is also a practice that helps to promote mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence, unity, and peace among people of diverse cultures like Nigeria and the world,”
He noted however that the religious diversity of Nigeria had always given it a unique identity and commendation in the past.
Most religious and sectarian violence according to him is “politically motivated to the advantage of the politicians” mostly when some feel that they are at a disadvantage economically and otherwise, compared to others.’
Pastor Adeboye observed that religious dichotomy, resorting to sectarian violence at the slightest provocation, wrong belief about sacrosanct of human life, absence of robust interface engagement and collaboration in Nigeria, and tagging other faiths as inferior are the bane of religious tolerance in Nigeria and across the globe.
He then enjoined participants at the conference to sue for religious tolerance, remarking that anybody or any religion that truly believes in the Creator God of all, will love, will preserve life rather than taking it at the slight provocation.
Quoting several scriptures he affirmed that to achieve tolerance, there should be the cooperation of international organisations, governments, and civil societies across the world.
This synergy in his words will create the atmosphere for freedom of religion and various beliefs to thrive.
Killings in the name of religion
Earlier at the conference, a Moslem cleric, Chief Missioner, and Sharia Adviser who also is a researcher at the University of Science, Malaysia, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike underscored the value of tolerance. He stated that Nigeria, because of its huge population can’t afford a religious war
He cited instances in history like the killing of the Jews in millions by Adolf Hitler, the bombing of the World Trade Centre (WTC) by an Islamic organisation al-Qaeda by the arrowhead leader Osama bin Laden as ill-motivated.
Guest Speaker at the event, The Chairman of Ogun State PFN/CPFN Apostle A.B Otaru said religious tolerance is a corollary of “the understanding of the concept of humanity in God.”
He noted that lack of understanding and love for the Creator God of all; the absence of genuine love and the failures of religious leaders as causes of religious intolerance.
He expressed the belief that if all nations of the world including Nigeria show genuine love for God there would be peace and unity and all would be happy for it under God Almighty.
Gambian delegate
On his part, Bishop Dr. Samuel Olusegun Akinola leader of the Gambian delegates to the conference said that in Gambia, Yahya Jammeh was successfully overthrown when his government became unpopular with the people and the cried out with one voice because the Christians forged unity and cooperation with the majority Moslems, even though they had the strong backings of the UN Security Council.
He advocated that this is the time for Nigeria to truly embrace religious tolerance without window-dressing those who easily resort to violence at little statements.
He noted, In Christianity, many have attacked Jesus Christ without any single Christian fighting back.’
The International Secretary and Director of Administration of ESBAASC, Archbishop Professor Williams Ozazie, who dubbed as the moderator of the event submitted that
“God is not in violence. He is not in any zeal that is in a wrong direction.”
He cited the Biblical who single-handedly killed 400 worshippers of Baals and thereafter ran from King Ahab’s wife the proverbial Jezebel.
Williams remarked that in solitude, when God made a strong wind to break rocks, then wind and earthquakes and earthquakes and fire but the Lord was not in any of them to tell Elijah and the people of the world that He is a God of peace that wants mankind to be reconciled back to Him.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy of ESBAASC added colour to the three-day event with rigorous military performance while many were decorated with the insignia of their new ranks as sub-ltnt; Major Gen. General, Brig. Gen. etc.
The Chaplain General and the Commandant Gen. of ESBAASC Bishop Dr. David K. Agboola in a separate interview called for religious tolerance
In His address, he said he used the forum to commend the Nigerian Army, Armed Force, the Police, and heads of other organisations in their roles in combating sectarian violence that has engulfed Nigeria in recent years.
The International Prelate, Archbishop K.M Olubunmi gave the vote of thanks noting that a communique will be issued and sent to the appropriate quarter in due course.