Deborah Samuel: Ibadan Mogajis, Chiefs preach religious tolerance

Following the outrage of Nigerians over the killing of Deborah Samuel, the female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, who was killed and set ablaze by a mob for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed and the violence protest that greeted the arrest of the suspects, the Mogajis, Senior and High Chiefs in Ibadan land have urged religious organisations and youths in Oyo State, particularly in Ibadan land not to allow religion divide them, saying that Muslims, Christians and Traditionalists co-exist effectively in the state and Ibadan city in particular.

This was contained in a statement signed by the President of the Association of Mogajis of Ibadan land, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator, Ibadan Compounds Peace and Security Initiatives, Mogaji (Asiwaju) Nurudeen Akinade, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State ccapital, on Saturday.

The chiefs urged the Chief Imams, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), various Islamic and Christian organisations and youth bodies in Ibadan land to ensure peaceful co-existence and preach religious tolerance among themselves.

The chiefs warned that nobody should take advantage of whatever happens in any part of the country to forment trouble in Ibadan land.

They noted that Ibadan has been very peaceful and accommodating, adding that every family in Ibadan land has at least two of the three religions.

According to Ariori, and Akinade, religious organisations should always preach peace and tolerance among their people, stressing that these should be the watchword in all places of worship.