Faith Leaders in Nigeria Urged to Defend Religious Freedom, Reject Corruption

Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), urged religious leaders in Nigeria to defend freedom of religion and conscience. Speaking in an interview with ACI Africa on September 23, Fr. Omonokhua told the news outlet that leaders must reject using faith to promote corruption, violence, hatred, or partisan political interests.

Fr. Omonokhua stated that respecting religious freedom is essential for peaceful coexistence among Christians, Muslims, and people of other religious convictions living in Nigeria. He noted that dialogue requires recognizing both different faith traditions and common humanity. He advised against forcing beliefs on others or using religious differences to justify violence, emphasizing that different worship practices do not diminish a person's dignity.

The priest also identified corruption as a moral challenge that religious leaders must address by providing continuous formation for their followers.