The Yari Roundtable for Inter-Religious Harmony has convened a major interfaith summit in Abuja, bringing together leading Christian and Muslim clerics to develop practical strategies for addressing the persistent insecurity troubling Northern Nigeria.
The high-level meeting drew religious figures, dignitaries, and community representatives from across the 19 northern states—all committed to forging a united front for peace, stability, and social cohesion in the region.
Speaking at the opening session, former Senator Shehu Sani said the worsening violence in the North made such a gathering both timely and necessary. He stressed that leaders must confront the root causes of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes if the region is to reclaim peace.
According to Sani, the Roundtable was designed to listen directly to clerics and community voices, gather grounded insights, and produce a harmonised report that relevant authorities can act upon.
“We must stop being reactive as leaders,” he said. “The bold step we are taking today is driven by a bottom-up approach. The North cannot develop under the weight of insecurity. We must confront the issues honestly and find lasting solutions once and for all.”
He also urged clerics to use their places of worship to amplify messages of peace, harmony, and mutual respect. Expressing satisfaction with what he described as “robust and enriching discussions,” Sani said the testimonies shared by participants reflected the lived realities of communities across the region.
According to him, the Yari Roundtable seeks to create a collaborative space where Christian and Muslim leaders can jointly explore pathways to peace and collectively combat the terrorism that continues to destabilise Nigeria.
Participants unanimously agreed that terrorism and banditry pose a shared threat to all communities, regardless of faith, and therefore require a united, coordinated response.
Religious leaders at the event commended Senator Abdul Aziz Yari—former Zamfara State governor and founder of the Roundtable—for initiating what they described as a courageous and timely interfaith intervention. They emphasised the critical role of clerics in shaping public opinion, bridging divides, and discouraging radicalisation within their congregations.
The leaders expressed optimism that the discussions held during the summit had identified key drivers of insecurity. They stressed that if the recommendations generated are implemented by federal, state, and local authorities, Northern Nigeria could witness significant progress in reducing insurgency and banditry.
They further called on political leaders, security agencies, and citizens to embrace interfaith collaboration and sustain such engagements as an enduring pathway to peace and development.
Among the prominent religious leaders in attendance were Archbishop James Mafita, Sheikh Salisu Abdullahi Maibarota, Rev. Gideon Mutum, Dr. Umar Zaria, Dr. Sadiq Doka, Bishop Salisu Bala (JP), Bishop Livingston Achili, Bishop Obadiah Gideon Bako, and Sheikh Adam Binani, among others.
Senator Abdul Aziz Yari founded the Yari Roundtable for Inter-Religious Harmony to create a platform that promotes unity, peace, and understanding across the 19 northern states—a mission the summit reaffirmed with renewed energy and commitment.
Middle-Belt Times 