A group photograph by participants at the FFA Town Hall Meeting in Kano State, Nigeria
By Samuel Clement
Faith and Freedom Africa (FFA) successfully hosted a powerful Town Hall Meeting in Kano State, bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to discuss issues of religious freedom, equality, and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Ahead of the event, Mrs. Ruth Abner, a member of the Faith and Freedom Africa team, arrived in Kano to coordinate preparations and ensure the smooth execution of the programme. On Friday, June 5, team members, including the Country Representative, Mr. Felix Joseph Samari, arrived in Kano from Abuja, Kaduna, Jos, and Yola to participate in the gathering.
The event, held at Haitel guest Inn Nasarawa GRA
attracted participants who share a common vision of building a nation founded on fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all citizens. Discussions focused on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with participants identifying interfaith dialogue as a critical tool for promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Several attendees shared personal experiences of discrimination and bullying suffered as religious minorities in communities dominated by adherents of other faiths. One particularly moving testimony came from an indigenous Hausa Christian woman who narrated how she lived peacefully within her rural community but later faced discrimination after relocating to another environment because of her religious identity.
Participants observed that such experiences underscore the urgent need for stronger measures to protect the rights of all Nigerians regardless of their faith or belief. They called on the government to institutionalize interfaith dialogue and establish effective mechanisms to address violations of religious freedom across the country.
The meeting highlighted the provisions of Section 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every person’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to change, practice, and propagate one’s religion or belief. Participants also referenced Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which affirms the right of every individual to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to manifest that religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.
Speakers stressed that the effective implementation of these provisions would contribute significantly to national cohesion, mutual respect, and sustainable peace. They further urged government institutions, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations to work together in fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
In a surprise highlight of the event, the Country Representative of Faith and Freedom Africa, Mr. Felix Joseph Samari, was honoured with a Peace Ambassador Award by a Kano-based group in recognition of his commitment to peacebuilding, religious freedom advocacy, and interfaith engagement.
Despite perceptions that Kano may present challenges for such conversations, participants described the experience as inspiring and encouraging. The town hall meeting reinforced the belief that dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding remain essential ingredients for building a peaceful and united Nigeria.
Indeed, the Kano experience was remarkable and demonstrated that meaningful conversations on faith, freedom, and coexistence can thrive even in environments often perceived as difficult, provided there is genuine commitment to peace and understanding.