The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.
The Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) has called on the Federal Government to appoint Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Christian and Muslim Religious Affairs to bridge gaps and build grassroots trust.
The Secretary-General of the association, Rev. Simon Dolly-Kif, who made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said such would help foster unity and peace in the country. Dolly-Kif, a renowned cleric with a long history of advocating for interfaith dialogue, noted that appointing dedicated aides would represent a strategic national necessity to harness the moral authority of faith institutions in solving everyday human challenges.
According to him, at a time when economic pressures, insecurity, and social tensions are testing the resilience of families across Nigeria, such appointments are far more than mere political gestures. He stated that in many communities across the country where government presence is minimal, churches and mosques serve as primary lifelines for ordinary citizens by running health clinics, community schools, and welfare programmes.
Religious leaders command moral authority and have deep reach into communities where formal government structures are thin. Engaging them through credible advisers can enhance public trust and reinforce the message that every Nigerian is valued, regardless of faith, he said.
Dolly-Kif emphasized that dedicated presidential advisers on Christian and Muslim affairs would act as vital human bridges to facilitate constructive interfaith dialogue and mediate local conflicts before they escalate. He outlined the key responsibilities for the proposed advisers, which would include advising the President on policies with direct social and religious impacts on citizens.
Their role will include facilitating ongoing interfaith dialogue to deepen tolerance and mutual respect. They will also mobilise faith-based institutions behind public health, literacy, and poverty reduction programmes, as well as serve as early-warning channels to identify and defuse local religious friction before it leads to violence.
As Nigeria strives for peace, justice, and sustainable development, governance that recognises and engages all major faith communities will reinforce our shared commitment to a prosperous nation. It is time to leverage every available asset for nation-building, including the moral voice of religion, he said.
The proposed advisers will be expected to advise
the President on policies with direct social and religious impacts on citizens.
They will facilitate ongoing interfaith dialogue to deepen
tolerance and mutual respect.
They will mobilise faith-based institutions behind public health,
literacy, and poverty reduction programmes.
They will serve as early-warning channels to identify
and defuse local religious friction before it leads to violence.
A dedicated presidential aide on Christian affairs would ensure that the views and concerns of Nigerian Christians are effectively represented and addressed, while a dedicated presidential aide on Muslim affairs would do the same for Nigerian Muslims. These two individuals would work closely together to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation.
In his statement, Rev. Dolly-Kif stressed that the proposed advisers would not only bridge the gaps between different faith communities but also bring people together in a way that fosters unity and peaceful coexistence.
The appointments of dedicated presidential advisers on Christian and Muslim affairs are long overdue and would be a significant step towards building a more harmonious and inclusive society in Nigeria.