Date: 2014-05-27

Following the recommendations of the Committee on Religion in the on-going National Conference, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, yesterday advocated for the accommodation of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in the nation's constitution.

This, the monarch said will further strengthen and widen its scope from being a mere advisory body in a bid to further promote unity among adherents of religions in the country.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari who is also a delegate to the national conference stated this as part of his contribution to the report submitted by the Committee on Religious.

He added that "Such constitutional provision if granted, will also grant NIREC international recognition" stressing that its members will also gather numerous experiences from international conferences and workshops which will no doubt add more and better values to its revered activities.

In addition, the monarch subscribed to the call by the Committee members for the establishment of an Independent Religious Equity Commission to take care of many things, including protection of religious rights of individuals.

He added that the committee's report that Nigeria is a multi-religious; multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation as sufficiently highlighted is in order warning that federal or state should not have any of the religions as the official religion.

Sulu-Gambari also advocated for core religious teachings among teenagers up to secondary school.

It was learnt that the Religious Committee had among other recommendations suggested that the right of attire that any Nigerian of whatever religious faith should be allowed to wear.

"Example of the controversy revolves around the hijab as against Nuns' uniform. We think this can be settled first by making religious instruction in schools in respect of core or compulsory subjects to pupils of the two major faiths; Muslims should be allowed to be taught religious knowledge in Islam as well as religious knowledge in Christianity for the Christians.

"The teaching of the two religions should be made core and compulsory subjects in all schools so as to shape the morality and culture of the pupils", the Committee recommended.