Wole Oke Urges National Action on Interfaith Unity at Rome Communiqué Roundtable

 

Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote address focused on the significance of the Rome Communiqué at a high-level roundtable on interfaith dialogue in Abuja.

This event was organised in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), bringing together lawmakers, religious leaders, and civil society representatives to address urgent issues of social cohesion and hate speech in Nigeria.

Hon. Wole Oke began his remarks by acknowledging the contributions and leadership of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and commended event organisers for their dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue in a time marked by growing divisions. He emphasised the necessity and timeliness of such interventions to confront religious tensions and sectarian differences currently challenging both Nigeria and the wider global community.

Tracing the roots of the international interfaith legislative movement, Oke highlighted the foundation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1889 and referenced the 2023 Marrakesh Conference as a pivotal moment. He noted that the Rome Conference continues this momentum, reinforcing legislative efforts worldwide to promote unity and understanding across faiths.

Citing the Communiqué, Hon. Oke outlined several critical principles:

●Rejection of Religious Misuse: The Communiqué denounces the exploitation of religion or belief to incite hatred and violence.

●Condemnation of Discrimination: It opposes  discriminatory and dehumanising narratives based on religion or belief.

●Encouragement of Institutional Trust: The document emphasises building trust between communities and institutions, affirming that respect for human dignity underpins lasting peace.

Oke stressed that lawmakers carry the burden of defending democratic values, safeguarding vulnerable groups, including women, youth, minorities, and Indigenous communities, and upholding international human rights obligations. He particularly highlighted the roles of youth and women as essential agents of peace and interfaith cooperation, alongside the importance of faith communities in peacebuilding.

Among the Rome Communiqué’s fifteen recommended actions, Hon. Oke spotlighted three “golden pillars” for urgent adoption:

A. Strengthen Freedom of Belief: Reinforce protections for freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief.

B. Counter Hate Speech: Actively challenge hate speech, polarising narratives, and the weaponization of religion or belief.

C. Address Digital Threats: Mitigate digital risks to democracy and human dignity.

Oke candidly addressed Nigeria’s ongoing challenges, noting research that links national insecurity to the manipulation of religious and sectarian divisions, often by leaders for ulterior motives. He cautioned that such divisions, complicated by ethnic and economic factors, can escalate from ideological conflicts to outright criminality.

To counter these risks, Oke advocated:

1.  Adoption of the Communiqué as a guiding framework for national policy.

2.  Legal protections for religious freedom.

3.  Comprehensive anti-hate speech strategies.

4.  Responsible regulation of digital platforms.

5.  The promotion of ethical leadership and inclusive governance.

He also called for stronger parliamentary support for interfaith dialogue, peace education, religious literacy, and greater inclusion of marginalised groups.

In closing, Hon. Oke urged all stakeholders to take collective responsibility in building a more cohesive nation by implementing the Rome Communiqué’s action steps, stating, “We therefore must adopt the Action Steps in the Rome Communiqué, and that surely will be a good starting point in helping us achieve the outcome we now so badly desire.” He reminded participants of their duty to deliver the peace and progress Nigerians expect.

“Please do not forget that Nigerians are counting on us all. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”