President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has emphasised the importance of unity and dialogue among Nigerians, stating that the differences among the citizens are few compared to the things that unite them. Tinubu who was represented by Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development, at the centenary celebration of The Catholic Herald Weekly newspaper, held recently in Lagos, said there is not much that divides the people, especially when it comes to the faith, as he citied Alhaji Jubril Martins and Imam Agasto as muslims who worked closely with the Church.
According to him, “These are examples that we all need to remind ourselves that there isn’t much that divides us in our faith.” He noted that the Catholic Church, regardless of their faith, opened its doors to these men to serve in the Church, acknowledging it a testament to the openness that the Church has shown to other sects. Speaking on the unwavering service, dedication and commitment to the principles of truth, peace and justice by The Catholic Herald Weekly newspaper, the president described the milestone as not only a significant achievement for the Church, but also a testament to Nigeria’s growth as a nation.
He said, “We are living in times when our diversity as a nation must be our strength, adding that it is institutions like the Church that reminds all of the power of unity, the need for tolerance and the essential role of dialogue in maintaining harmony across communities. He noted that the government recognises the importance of the work the Church has done and continues to do in shaping the moral compass of the nation. He said that the Catholic Church has been a cornerstone in the national journey of Nigeria, acknowledging the assertion made by the speakers, that the journey of a nation is a marathon, assuring that his administration has the right runners for the marathon race. “And of course, working with the people, we will run this race together”, he added.
The Catholic Church has been a pillar that has supported and uplifted generations of Nigerians, he submited, adding that through the Catholic Herald, the Church has consistently championed the values of human dignity, justice and unity, providing a voice for the voiceless and offering moral guidance in times of uncertainty. “The centenary we are celebrating today is a testament to the enduring influence of the Church in shaping not only religious lives but also social, economic and political dimensions of our society. This celebration is a recognition of the critical role of the Church in building the moral foundation of Nigeria, one that fosters respect, peace and national cohesion. “And it is no wonder we have had a discourse here with government representation, activists, and of course, the spiritual institution. It just shows the role that the Church plays in nation building”, he asserted.
He said the event reminds people of the importance of communication, particularly in this digital age, adding that the unveiling of the integrated audiovisual studio signifies the Church’s commitment to evolving and reaching more people. According to, him, the Church has educated generations, healed the sick, and has provided hope to those in need, as he stated that these are the values that bind us together as a nation, regardless of what sect we belong to. On her office, Ibrahim said a lot of issues have been raised that greatly impact young people who make up 70 percent of Nigeria’s population.
She said steps are being taken to address youth restiveness and engage young people to make them active contributors to Nigeria’s economic, social and political development. She said the youths who are the future of tomorrow, stand to benefit from the Church’s efforts, adding that she has approved the convening of a national youth conference as an avenue to foster young people in order to engage them and deliberate on the Nigeria they need to see, as we continue to evolve as a strong nation.
The framework and time of the conference will be communicated soon, she emphasised, as she urged youths across the country to participate in the upcoming conference as a peaceful means of voicing opinions among their peers and with government representatives. She disclosed the creation of a youth arm dedicated to overseeing development policies and implementing various policies, programmes and initiatives of the sector.