On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the Inclusive Religious Engagement in Nigeria Enhanced by Women (I-RENEW) initiative organized a Youth and Women-Led Sensitization on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) at NTA College, Jos, Plateau State. The event was part of I-RENEW’s effort to raise awareness in tertiary institutions about the importance of religious freedom and interfaith understanding.
The primary goal of the sensitization was to educate students on I-RENEW’s objectives, introduce the concept of FoRB, and discuss international human rights frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that protect religious freedoms. The event also focused on Nigerian laws and policies supporting FoRB, highlighted the key drivers of religious division and conflict in the country, and provided strategies for respectful engagement across different faiths.
Sumayya Abubakar, the project coordinator, explained that I-RENEW is a consortium of organizations including the European Union, Search for Common Ground, the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace Centre (DREP), and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN). She emphasized that the project aims to engage students in tertiary institutions across Plateau and Kaduna states to raise awareness of FoRB, especially among youth and women. According to Abubakar, youths are crucial change agents, and their energy must be harnessed positively to create a harmonious society.
“We aim to foster a better understanding of freedom of religion and belief among students,” Abubakar said. “By involving youth in the project, we hope to create an atmosphere of respect and peaceful coexistence on campuses, which can ultimately contribute to a more harmonious society.”
Ahmad Musa Mohammed, a representative of FOMWAN, facilitated a session encouraging students to promote peace through interfaith dialogue. He emphasized the importance of respecting others’ religious beliefs and practices, urging students to become ambassadors of peace and tolerance.
“Our goal is for every student to leave this program with a new perspective, carrying the message of peace and religious freedom into their communities,” Mohammed stated.
Danjuma Famicit Churdung, a representative of DREP, highlighted the pivotal role women play in disseminating information within households. “Women are the primary educators in the home. When you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” Churdung said, emphasizing the importance of involving women in promoting religious harmony.
Akinyoye Emanuel, president of the Student Union Government at NTA College, praised the initiative, stating that it has the potential to strengthen bonds between students of different religious backgrounds. He noted that while Christians form the majority at the institution, the sensitization program helps bridge gaps between them and their Muslim peers.
“This sensitization will help us as future media professionals to better understand and work with people from different religious backgrounds,” Emanuel said.
The event at NTA College is part of a broader I-RENEW effort, which captures several other institutions, including Plateau State University, Plateau State Polytechnic, and the University of Jos.
