Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has reiterated his call for the need for religious tolerance to reign in Nigeria for peace and tranquility to reign, saying that any country that espouses religious fanaticism would be designated a terrorist state and thrown into the war if not managed well.
Iba Adams made the call while speaking at the 2024 edition of Aareonakakanfo's Annual Christmas Carol Service and Ninth Lessons, the seventh in its series, which took place at Oodua House, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, and which attended by Christian leaders from different denominations including Bishop Kayode Williams of Christ Vessels of Grace Church Inc., Pastor Ololade David, Pastor John Agboola, Prophet Peter Oyebola and Apostle Gbenga Ogundipe.
Others were Pastor Timothy Fasoyin, Elder Apostle Akin Owolabi, Pastor Emmanuel Ayeni, Deacon Adebayo Israel Obatungashe, Alagba Sina Loremikan, Pastor (Mrs) Iyabo Obasa, among others.
The Yoruba generalissimo, who said that the event was organized to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as is done around the world, recalling his growth when people of different religious backgrounds celebrated with each other without discrimination, maintained that there was always the need for religious tolerance in Nigeria, without which there would be no peace and tranquility.
According to him, religion is a fragile thing in life and said that it is necessary to apply a proper approach to manage it through “tolerance towards the problem, whether you are a Muslim, Christian or traditional believer.”
Adams insisted that God is the Creator of all religions, as well as the Creator of languages and cultures, and urged that people should stop thinking that anyone who practices any religion other than their own is pagan.
“We always need religious tolerance, without religious tolerance, there is no way Nigeria can have peace and tranquility, without religious tolerance, Nigeria will be designated a terrorist state.
“Any country that defends fanaticism will be designated as such and that can lead to war if not managed well. Religion is a fragile thing in life and we have to be careful in the way we handle it, and the only way we can handle it is by having tolerance towards the subject, whether you are a Muslim, a Christian or a traditional believer. We have to be tolerant.
“God is the Creator of all religions, God is the Creator of all languages and cultures. And you definitely shouldn't think that anyone who practices any religion other than your own is a pagan,” he said.
The Yoruba generalissimo, therefore, called on the country's religious leaders to avoid fanaticism, stating that God is always ready to reward good deeds.
Iba Adams, who read Mark 10: 13-16, being the 3rd Lesson of the event, expressed his great gratitude to the men of God and other dignitaries present for not discriminating to be part of the occasion, saying such a demonstration of love for Christ Jesus on the occasion of his birthday it was good and what he thought could be done in Yoruba land.
“What we have come to do here today is a Christmas carol. This is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and is done all over the world. It is celebrated all over the world and is quite popular, it is a celebration of joy.
“I thank the men of God who are here present on the occasion for not discriminating to be part of the event. I think we could do that in Yoruba land, fanaticism is not good. “It is Jesus Christ who you came to honor,” he said.
Also speaking, Bishop Williams of Christ Vessels of Grace Church Inc., urged all Nigerians to join hands to save the country from the current state of things, but quickly declared that Nigeria would march towards “greatness starting in 2025 and the world would come to know.”
“We must all join hands, we must save this country. Nigeria will be great come 2025 and the world will know it,” he said.
Bishop Williams, however, prayed that God would erase fears from the minds of Nigerians about the country, as well as praying that God would ensure that those who planned to put the country in trouble would fail miserably, while Nigeria would remain united and strong. under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event featured Carol songs with Christ Vessel of Grace Church coming first followed by Beulah International coming second while Ikorodu C and S Church came third.