Shun Hate Speeches, RSG Tells Religious Leaders

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged religious leaders to shun hate speeches in their places of worship as a means of checking religious intolerance and global insecurity.
Wike stated this Wednesday while declaring open the 28th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association for Biblical Studies (NABIS) at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, noted with concern that the threat of Boko Haram and ISIS posed a serious challenge to global peace and security, stressing that concerted efforts by governments all over the world and the church was needed to fight terrorism.
“The sanctity of human lives and peaceful co-existence of people of all religions should be preached in our various places of worship,” he stated.
He charged those involved in Biblical studies to realize that they carry a great moral burden as they owe the world suggestions and ideas on how the menace of insecurity could be eradicated.
The governor called for the production of literature and other enlightenment materials which were based on Biblical principles that could be distributed to schools.
Wike noted that the only way the world could counter the indoctrination of terrorists in the New Media was to introduce educative messages into these platforms.
He described the theme of the conference: “Biblical Studies and the Quest for Peace in Africa,” as timely, as it reflected the current realities in Nigeria in particular and the entire continent as a whole.
The governor pointed out that the state was poised to check youth restiveness through entrepreneurial training and economically-rewarding small scale ventures.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Rosemund Green-Osaghulu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Joseph Kinanee, had noted that 65 per cent of violent crimes in the world were traced to Africa.
According to her, the activities of Boko Haram, which is the new face of Islamic extremism and threats by Al-shabab, Al-Qaeda and other similar agents of destruction across the World, have caused untold pains, resulting in many widows and orphans.
Also, speaking, the National Chairman of NABIS, Prof. J.D. Gwanma, said the conference has provided a platform for engagement with contextual issues and Biblical discourse that would provoke thoughts and positive action.