The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deepening bilateral relations with countries host to Nigerian pilgrims, while ensuring equitable treatment for all religious faiths in the execution of its official duties.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye gave this assurance in Abuja on Thursday, when the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Addressing his guest, the Minister decried the occasional religious tensions across the country, attributing such frictions to a fundamental lack of understanding of the true essence of religion. He emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains resolute in promoting religious harmony while prioritizing the safety, welfare, and security of all Nigerians, whether residing at home or in the diaspora, regardless of their religious affiliations.
To underline his call for peaceful coexistence, Ambassador Enikanolaiye shared details of his personal family background as a practical example of interfaith unity. He revealed that despite being a Muslim, his wife is a Christian pastor. He recalled times in their early life when, relying on a single car and without modern telecommunications, he would drive her to church and return to pick her up after service. He stressed that religion has never been a barrier in his household and should equally never serve as a source of division in national life.
The Minister maintained that faith is ultimately an individual and personal responsibility. He noted that every human being will account for their own deeds in the hereafter, adding that a person’s individual piety or lack thereof cannot determine the spiritual salvation of their spouse, as everyone will be judged solely on their own merit.
Assuring the NCPC of maximum institutional backing, Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated that the role of the Foreign Ministry regarding pilgrimages has expanded beyond basic consular duties into a broader diplomatic effort designed to ensure the total success of the Commission’s operations.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, expressed appreciation to the Minister for the warm reception. Bishop Adegbite also highlighted his own interfaith roots, disclosing that his maternal grandmother was a Muslim and that he continues to carry his Muslim name, Abdulmaroof. He shared that whenever he visits his hometown in Oyo State wearing his clerical cassock, family and community members still address him by his Muslim name, and he consistently provides rams for them during every Ileya festival.
The NCPC boss noted that in addition to managing successful pilgrimage exercises, the core mandate of the Commission includes building national cohesion and unity. He commended President Tinubu for demonstrating continuous commitment to peace, stability, and interfaith cooperation across the nation.
