Jos, Plateau State — October 22, 2025
In a remarkable show of unity and empowerment, the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) has celebrated the achievements of women leaders who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and interfaith harmony across Plateau and Kaduna States.
The event, tagged “Celebration of Women’s Leadership,” was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Odilin’s Event Centre in Jos. It brought together faith leaders, traditional rulers, women advocates, and government representatives to honour women who have played significant roles in advancing inclusivity, peacebuilding, and faith-based leadership within their communities.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Nathan Swamini, PROCMURA’s General Adviser from Kenya, reflected on the organization’s 65-year journey of fostering dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Africa. He noted the progress made since 1997 when interfaith conversations were difficult to initiate in Nigeria.
“Today, Christians and Muslims are not only sitting together to talk but also sharing meals and working for peace,” Bishop Swamini said. “We have come a long way from times of suspicion and hostility to a new era of understanding and collaboration.”
The Bishop commended the resilience of women leaders who continue to play active roles in promoting peace and freedom of belief, stressing the importance of sustaining these efforts for future generations. He further emphasized the need to uphold African values and contexts in promoting FoRB while discouraging the misinterpretation of the concept by external influences.
In her remarks, Elder Mrs. Justina Mike-Ngwobia, PROCMURA’s FoRB Coordinator for Women, underscored the need to continue educating communities about their rights to religious freedom and belief. She highlighted the persistent challenges faced by women, including forced conversions, early marriages, denial of worship rights, and discrimination in religious leadership.
“Violations of women’s rights to freedom of religion and belief are often normalized under the guise of culture or tradition,” she explained. “This project seeks to amplify women’s voices, challenge harmful practices, and create safe spaces for dialogue and transformation within communities.”
Mrs. Mike-Ngwobia noted that the initiative has facilitated joint dialogues between men and women across several communities in Jos North, Bassa, and Kuru (Plateau State) as well as Sabon Tasha, Chikun, and Kaduna South (Kaduna State) — fostering understanding and cooperation across religious lines.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to promoting peace and religious tolerance, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual respect across faiths.
“When we go together, we achieve more,” she said. “Peace begins with each of us, and it is our collective responsibility to live in harmony regardless of religious or cultural differences.”
The event also featured cultural performances, traditional displays, and the presentation of leadership awards to outstanding women for their roles in strengthening interfaith relations. Among those honoured were Hajia Hamza Sumaye, newly appointed National Amira of FORB Women Network, and Dr. Rhoda Soya, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who were recognized for their exemplary service and leadership.
Participants, many adorned in colourful traditional attires, celebrated the spirit of unity, diversity, and progress that defines the Plateau and Kaduna interfaith communities.
The PROCMURA Celebration of Women’s Leadership marks another milestone in the organization’s ongoing mission to build peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and gender-inclusive faith communities across Africa.
