Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advanced reasons why Nigerians and other Africans must benefit from the religion they practice by ensuring desired development of the country is achieved.
He said beyond the spiritual upliftment of individuals and communities, religious leaders must use faith to promote peace, ensure prosperity for the people as well as the development of society.
Osinbajo stated this Saturday evening when he received on a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, the Senegal-based Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniya Movement, Worldwide, His Eminence, Sheikh Muhammadu Mahi Ibrahim Niass.
This was contained in a statement by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, titled, ‘Let’s use religion for unity, to better the lives of our people, Osinbajo urges’, on Sunday.
The Vice President who emphasized the importance of religion in human development said “we must use our faiths to promote peace and prosperity for our people. We need to work together to ensure that our people benefit from religion.
“We tend to underestimate the importance of religion despite the fact that it plays a key role in the development of the society, not just in the spiritual aspect but physical.
“There are many nations of the world that have benefitted from the impact of religion both spiritually and physically. So, we must use religion in our countries (in Africa) to help our people to live better lives because, in other parts of the world, leaders of faith have used religion to better the lives of the people,” he added.
Speaking further about the need for leaders of faith to close ranks for the purpose of using religion to address emerging challenges in the society, Osinbajo noted that “no matter what the situation may be, we in Africa must be able to sit together and talk. We must never allow situations where we cannot sit together.
“With what is going on across the world, people of faith must continue to emphasize that both major religions (Islam and Christianity) promote peace and we must allow our people to practice whatever religion they want to practice.”
Earlier in his remarks, Sheikh Niass who spoke in French with interpretation by a spokesman thanked Osinbajo for the opportunity to meet with him and his delegation while describing him as a great personality, the type needed both Nigeria and Africa.
His words: “the Vice President is a great personality with an exceptional character, standing on two feet: one as a political leader concerned about the progress of his people and the second, as a man of God.
“Africa needs a person of your nature with very strong background in religion and politics. I pray that the Almighty Allah will upgrade you and enable you achieve your desires and aspirations because, as I said, not only Nigeria but Africa will benefit from your leadership qualities.”
He added that Nigeria “is the heart of Africa and whatever Nigeria becomes, Africa becomes.”
Source: PUNCH
