The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has called for the integration of theological education with peacebuilding efforts to strengthen dialogue, reconciliation and effective responses to societal challenges across Nigeria.
The monarch made the call on Tuesday when the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Reverend David Idowu, led members of the convention’s executive on a courtesy visit to the Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo. He stressed the need for theological education to play a greater role in addressing religious and social conflicts.
In a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade said theological institutions should move beyond conventional academic instruction and actively contribute to reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution.
The Alaafin commended the Nigerian Baptist Convention for its contributions to national stability and development, particularly in education, healthcare, interfaith relations, poverty alleviation and vocational training. He noted that such initiatives had helped empower marginalised communities and strengthen social development.
He also praised the convention’s renewed commitment to dialogue, leadership development and efforts to bridge divisions among communities of faith. According to him, the NBC’s engagement with local churches and its promotion of dialogue, particularly in northern Nigeria, demonstrate the important role religious organisations can play in resolving conflicts.
Oba Owoade said the Nigerian Baptist Convention Theological Seminary should be positioned as a major component of the convention’s response to religious conflicts. He described the seminary as more than an academic institution, stressing that it could serve as a strategic centre for developing leaders equipped to promote peace and reconciliation.
The monarch further emphasised the importance of interfaith dialogue in building trust, mutual respect and cooperation among people of different religious backgrounds. He said constructive engagement between religious communities could foster solidarity and make peacebuilding initiatives more effective.
According to him, sustained interaction among people of different faiths would encourage greater understanding and tolerance while helping communities identify common goals and develop peaceful solutions to religious and social disputes.
Earlier, Reverend Idowu said the delegation visited the Alaafin’s Palace to pay homage to the monarch, pray for him and formally inform him of his emergence as President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention alongside members of the new executive.
Idowu added that the visit was also aimed at seeking the cooperation of the palace for initiatives that would benefit the people and inviting the Alaafin to his induction programme scheduled for next month. He subsequently prayed for divine guidance, long life and good health for the monarch, his family and members of the palace workforce.
We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
-Advertisement-
-Want to get the news as it breaks?-
