Date: 2017-03-29

Pastor Sanya Olufemi of Glory of Christ Assembly Fate, Ilorin, has advised religious leaders to preach peace and not violence to their members.

Olufemi gave the advice on Tuesday in Ilorin when speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, religious organisations have critical role to play to strengthen peaceful co-existence in the country.

He also said that religious leaders should make peace their slogans to ensure that every religious and ethnic groups one and another as belonging to one family.

"Every Pastor, Imam or leader of any religious organisation should learn to preach peace and tolerance among other groups. This is not the time to encourage violence as some religious leaders believe. Read Also; Maku Urges Nigerians To Use Religion To Promote Love And Peace

"Violence will further divide us and generate tension in the country. This is the time for leaders to lead by example, with love and peaceful co-existence, with that, Nigeria can reach great heights.

"Religious leaders should also work toward ensuring entrenchment of good governance by playing complementary role and not confusing their followers.

"This is not the time to provoke the masses against the government or other religious groups," he said.

The cleric, however, advised Nigerians to pray for the present hard time to disappear, but stressed that prayer and proper planning would change Nigerian situation to prosperity.