By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – As the world marks the Interfaith-Week and Harmony, a team of Christian and Muslim clerics on Saturday has sensitized over fifty inmates of Niggers Rehabilitation and Skilled Acquisition Centre at Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
Leader of the team and General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, said the aim is
to sensitized inmates on the dangers of drug abuse and how to shun bad attitudes that violets the teachings of both Bible and Qur’an.
According to him, last year a reading and written competition for the inmates was organized for them to be fully committed to the studies of the holy books, as a way to promote better understanding and religious tolerance.
“This year we are focus on teaching inmates ways to shun drug abuse and religious extremism, and also educate them on the real teaching of the holy books to inculcate the fear of God in them.
“We also sensitized them on the need for peaceful coexistence, tolerance and harmony amongst people of different religious inclinations, culture and tradition.”
Pastor Buru said it was the 6th time his team would organized an event at the Centre with inmates from different states across the country, who are mostly drug addicts, mentally challenged persons, and people with other forms of deformities.
He said that religious leaders can play a strong role in educating youth on ways to counter violent extremism by promoting peace and tolerance through corrective interpretations of the teachings of the Bible and Qur’an.
He stressed the need for promotion of interreligious dialogues in the country, and said the media can play a big role towards averting religious violence by promoting national peace and stability order.
Founder of Niggers Rehabilitation and Skilled Acquisition Centre, Mallam Lawal Maduru, expressed appreciation for the sensitization of the Centre’s inmates by the team of clerics.
Maduru said that the Centre which was established 14 years ago has been transforming lives of mentally challenged persons and youth who are drug addicts.
He disclosed that the Centre has over 20 Christian inmates who performed their religious activities without any form of intimidation, adding that the centre has graduated over 1700 youth including women brought for rehabilitation and counseling.
The World Interfaith Week and Harmony is celebrated every first week of February.