There is no basis for religious war in Nigeria as the two major religions abhor violence, killings and compulsion in the process of propagating their tenets . The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria Dr Ola Makinde stated this on Sunday January 13 during his homily at the Abraham Tabernacle, Sagamu venue of the seventh edition of the Annual New Year Thanks giving Service organised by The Asiwaju Onigbagbo Okunrin of Remoland Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor of Ogun State.
Dr Makinde described 2012 as a very difficult year for the country given the spate of accidents, flooding, air mishaps and the Boko Haram insurgency which he said has led to needless loss of many lives and heightened insecurity in the country. He said no teaching in Islam and Christianity asks their adherents to kill fellow human beings saying those responsible for the Boko Haram insurgency and the attendant mindless killings and orgy of bombings and destructions have another agenda other than religious propagation.
“Islam and Christianity do not support the kind of mindless violence going on in Nigeria. Nobody should hide under Sharia to practice evil. Sharia means justice and it has nothing to do with killing of innocent people. Without Sharia there will be no Islam. Good Muslims do not kill people in the name of religion” Dr Makinde told the congregation. .He urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the country with prayers saying without God’s mercy the situation would have been worse.
Dr Makinde lauded the former governor of Ogun State for organising the event and for also commemorating the one year anniversary of his late father, the late Rev. Adebola Daniel. He also admonished those in attendance to follow the examples of the Daniel by taking care of their parents while they are alive and giving them decent burial at their demise.
The Asiwaju Onigbagbo Obirin of Remoland, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo in a goodwill message to the event stressed the need for all mortals to constantly appreciate and give thanks to God. In the message read on her behalf by a family associate, Chief Mrs Awolowo said human beings need to praise God for what he has done , what he is doing and what he will yet do..The matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty also commended Otunba Daniel and his siblings for deeming it fit to remember their late father saying he lived an exemplary life in the service of humanity.
Adegbenro Adebanjo ,media assistant to Otunba Daniel in a press release on the proceedings of the event said the former governor in a short remark at the event said the annual event which is now in its seventh edition was meant to give Christians and the generality of the people a platform to appreciate God at the beginning of each year. He said in spite of the machinations of his traducers God had counted him worthy to be part of the event. Dignitaries at the event included the Afenifere leader Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Moji Dokpesi, Senator
Femi Okurounmu,Dr Onaolapo Soleye,Chief GOK Ajayi .Chief Mrs Stella Okoli , CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr R.O Ositelu , primate of the Church of the Lord Aladura,Bishop Olusina Fape, Mr Jamiu Abiola , one of the sons of Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Salmat Badru, former deputy governor of Ogun State, Chief Femi Coker, Chief Gani Adams, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi,Chief Mrs Lola Abiola Edewor former and serving members of the national assembly and traditional rulers, political and Christian leaders from across the country.