The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Interreligious Council (NIREC), Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, has issued a stirring appeal for national healing and mutual trust as essential pillars for peace and unity across Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the first tri-annual NIREC meeting for 2025, held in Owerri, Imo State, Archbishop Okoh emphasized that the gathering reflected a shared yearning for a more united and peaceful country. The event, themed “Building Mutual Trust for National Unity,” convened religious leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders from across the nation.
“We gather not only as religious leaders but as citizens who love this country deeply and desire its peace and prosperity,” he said, while commending Governor Hope Uzodinma for hosting the meeting and for his inclusive approach to governance in the South-East.
Archbishop Okoh also applauded Senator Dr. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for his steadfast support of NIREC’s peacebuilding mandate. He described the council, established in 1999, as “a moral compass and a bridge of understanding between the two major faiths in Nigeria.”
According to him, the nation’s current divisions demand urgent attention and sincere reconciliation. “Without mutual trust, unity becomes an illusion. Trust must be earned through sincerity, empathy, and fairness,” he stressed.
Calling for a shift from mutual suspicion to mutual trust, Okoh challenged Nigerians to reject stereotypes and embrace their shared humanity. “We must make Nigeria work. We must see one another through the dignified lens of shared humanity under one God,” he said.
He further advocated for truth-telling, correcting historical injustices, and promoting inclusion and diversity as pathways to national healing. “Only a healed nation can trust itself. And only a trusting nation can truly prosper,” he added.
Quoting Romans 12:18, he urged religious communities to “live at peace with everyone,” asserting that Nigeria’s diversity should serve as a source of strength, not division.
In a significant announcement, the Archbishop revealed the inauguration of Interreligious Councils across all five South-East states. He clarified that these are not political instruments, but rather “sacred spaces for sincere dialogue, healing, and community building.”
He expressed hope that the deliberations at the meeting would lead to actionable outcomes. “Let us be the generation that chooses dialogue over division, healing over hatred, and unity over discord,” Okoh declared.
The meeting marks a renewed commitment by NIREC to deepen interfaith collaboration and foster peace as a foundation for national development.
