…says dialogue with faith groups, civil society essential for peace, development

…reaffirms Tinubu government’s commitment to reforms, democracy, security

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has said the Federal Government believed that many of Nigeria’s pressing challenges could only be addressed through sustained partnership with faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, private sector and citizens, stressing that constructive engagement was essential to promoting peace, social cohesion and national development.

Akume said the administration of President Bola Tinubu would continue to deepen consultations with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on issues affecting the country, maintaining that government remained open to honest counsel and would continue to govern with openness, accountability and evidence-based policies.

He also assured that the Tinubu administration was neither seeking, nor in support of a one-party state, just as it remained deeply respectful of the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the spirit of true democracy.

In a statement on the recent engagement between the President and the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Akume, who personally signed the statement said the government was also sustaining dialogue and conflict prevention through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), describing collaboration with religious institutions as indispensable to advancing the national interest.

According to him, “many of the challenges confronting our nation require partnership. Faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the private sector and citizens all have indispensable roles to play in promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development. Constructive engagement between Government and these institutions is therefore not only welcome but essential.”

He continued “the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will continue consultations with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference, other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on the issues raised during the meeting and on areas where greater collaboration can advance the national interest.”

The SGF said the Federal Government had taken note of public reactions following the meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops, using the opportunity to reaffirm its profound respect for the Catholic Church and its enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development through education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral guidance.

Akume said government recognised the Church as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners and acknowledged that, like all faith communities, it had both the right and responsibility to speak on issues affecting the welfare of citizens and the country’s future.

He explained that discussions between the President and the Bishops were candid, respectful and constructive, covering concerns relating to security, economic hardship, public services, education, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.

According to him, both parties also acknowledged progress made under the administration, including the student loan programme and recent successes by security agencies in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

Akume noted that while there were areas of agreement and differences in assessment, such differences should not be interpreted as a breakdown in mutual respect or detract from the shared commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.

On the economy, the SGF acknowledged the hardship facing many Nigerians but described it as a passing phase, insisting that government policies were deliberately designed to confrontthe challenges.

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