President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to interfaith harmony, national unity, and global partnerships for peace during a reception for Professor Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu welcomed Riccardi alongside the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, and other dignitaries, describing Nigeria as a pluralistic nation of over 220 million citizens, encompassing more than 250 ethnic nationalities living within a democratic framework.
The president highlighted that Islam, Christianity, and indigenous traditional belief systems collectively shape the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage, emphasizing that this diversity is a source of strength for national cohesion.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who received the delegation on behalf of the president, outlined steps taken by the federal government to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture. According to a statement by Dewan Nengak Goshit, measures include the Terrorism Prevention Act and its amendments, improved intelligence coordination, enhanced prosecutorial capacity, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
Akume added that kinetic security operations are being complemented by non-kinetic strategies such as deradicalisation programmes, community engagement, and socio-economic stabilisation initiatives.
Professor Riccardi praised Nigeria as a living example of how ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity can coexist, calling the coexistence of Islam and Christianity in the country a “miracle of unity in diversity” and highlighting that Nigeria’s strength extends beyond its natural resources and demographic advantages.
