Empower Women Media, a multi-faith network, on Thursday, in Abuja trained educators with the necessary skills to become advocates and promoters of Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FoRB’s leadership training has as its theme: “Educators as Advocates for Peaceful Coexistence “....Read Full Article >>➤
The training which was attended by over 50 educators and advocates from across the country was organised under the auspices of the “Live What You Believe Project” of the group. Mr Felix Samari, Country Coordinator, Live What You Believe Project Nigeria, explained that FoRB does not protect any specific religion, but rather protects people because it is a fundamental human right.
Samari said that every individual has the right to believe in whatever they choose or not believe at all as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reinforced by Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.
He, however, said that there were gaps in FoRB awareness in Nigeria as some politicians and religious leaders continue to fan the flames of hate and intolerance, causing deep divisions and undermining national unity and progress.
Samari said that the training was crucial because teachers, whether at the primary, secondary or university level, are the bedrock of any society.
Samari said that Live What You Believe Project Nigeria, strongly believed that educational institutions could be a great asset in promoting FoRB by providing objective and expert insights through deliberate and robust research.
More importantly, he said, by working with students to understand and apply the principles of religious freedom in daily life, a more tolerant society would be created.
The event’s Keynote Speaker, Alkasim Mohammad, who spoke on “The Role of Teachers in Providing Stability on Matters of Religion in Nigeria, urged teachers to instil in students the values of respect, love, and coexistence.
Muhammad urged teachers to ensure that classrooms remained safe spaces for learning and interaction across religious lines.
The keynote speaker also urged teachers to discourage extremism through critical thinking to prevent the spread of religious misinformation and extremist ideologies.
He encouraged teachers to foster moral and ethical values, encourage interfaith dialogue, counter religious misinformation and provide emotional and psychological support.
Dr Longji Dambok ,a FoRB Trainer, called for the need to accept and inculcate FoRB into the society and urged religious leaders to teach tolerance for a unified and peaceful society.
A participant, Rahinatu Tukur, the Amira of FOMWAN, Jema’a Local Government, Kaduna State, commended Empower Women Media for the training.
She added that educators have been better equipped with the requisite knowledge on how to inculcate FoRB in students for national unity.
Another participant, Prof. Emem Olutoke of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, said that religious tolerance held the key to national unity, peace and development.
Olutoke urged that participants should not rest on their oars but continue to imbibe in students and the society the need for FoRB for a better society.(NAN)
Be the first to comment