Christian, Muslim leaders seek peaceful coexistence in Lagos

The Christian and Muslim leaders in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Mushin, Lagos State, on Saturday met to seek peaceful coexistence and unity among the two religious groups within the community.

Our reporter reports that the meeting was at the instance of Mr Rasaq Ajala, the Executive Chairman of the LCDA.

The council boss in his remarks thanked the clergies for honouring his invitation.

“I want everyone to continue to live in peace as we are known for this in the past in the LCDA.

“Before our assumption of office, it was almost impossible for people to go to some areas but with the prayers of religious leaders, it has become things of the past.

“I want the religious leaders to continue to give us the power of the microphones in their places of worship,  to foster peace and love among the people and offer prayers for the LCDA,” he said.

According to him, those who are in the midst of war in Ukraine know what they are facing presently.

Mr Ismail Kazeem, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA also applauded the council boss for initiating the meeting.

Kazeem added that the prayers of the religious leaders had continued to keep the community going in terms of the relative peace recorded so far.

He said that the meeting was important as the election period was fast approaching.

He urged the council boss to make the meeting more regular for better enlightenment.

Kazeem said he was happy that the vice president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye branch had said that they have not sponsored anyone to contest any political office.

According to him, anyone is free to come to them to campaign.

He, however, appealed that issue of religion should not be brought to politics.

The CAN vice president in the LCDA, Pastor Olalekan Durowoju, praised the council boss for the invitation to attend the meeting.

He said that CAN was apolitical and that as such they would welcome and support any politician seeking political office.

He noted that the body had not sponsored any candidate for political office, adding that everyone could come to them and seek their support.

Mr Seyi Jakande, the vice chairman of the council, said that everyone at the meeting should see themselves as delegates and that everything discussed should be spread to the people at home.

Jakande said if the messages are made to get to the generality of people at home, there would be peace and harmony in the LCDA.