The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) under the leadership of the Co-Chairmen, Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for being among the countries that have ratified the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). NIREC thanks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has followed up to make this ratification of the UN Treaty possible. As people all over the world are marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, “Nigeria, Ireland and Niue” have chosen to remember the victims and honour the hibakusha, the survivors, in the most meaningful way possible: by taking action to ban and eliminate these weapons of mass destruction for good.
While congratulating Nigerians and the Federal Government of Nigeria for this bold step at the International level, NIREC once again call on Government at all levels to sign into law the prohibition of proliferation of arms and ammunition in Nigeria. Given that charity begins at home, the leadership of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must set a day aside to remember all the victims that have been killed by terrorists, bandits and all forms of criminals in Nigeria. NIREC calls for compensation for the displaced victims of violence and security for them to return to their native land. Government must provide adequate security for the Nigerian citizens to enjoy peaceful coexistence irrespective of tribe, political affiliation and religion.
NIREC is affiliated to the African Council of Religious Leaders and Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP). The headquarters of ACRL is Nairobi-Kenya while the headquarters of RfP is New York – USA. It is gratifying to know that Nigeria is the headquarters of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council (WA-IRC).Congratulations Nigeria for ratifying the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). May all Nations live in peace, love and unity!
Signed
Fr. Prof. Cornelius AfebuOmonokhua
Executive Secretary (NIREC) & Secretary General
West Africa Inter-Religious Council
10th August, 2020
