The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has urged politicians and public office holders in Nigeria to refrain from using stolen public funds to sponsor individuals on pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem. He made this statement at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, themed "Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria." The Sultan emphasized that God does not accept corrupt offerings or religious deeds financed through illicit enrichment.
The Sultan also called on clerics to actively collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to curb systemic graft in the country. He stressed that religious leaders should work together with agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption, as it is against God's will. The Sultan's remarks highlight the need for synergy between religious leaders and anti-corruption agencies in addressing the issue of corruption in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, expressed concern over the high number of individuals bearing religious titles who are being investigated and prosecuted for financial crimes. He disclosed that the commission's case files contain numerous cases involving persons described as pastors, imams, and other religious leaders, with some already convicted and serving jail terms. This revelation underscores the need for a review of the titles given to men of God.
Olukoyede suggested that religious leaders should be judged by their conduct rather than the titles they carry. He emphasized that genuine men of God should be identified by their actions and commitment to doing what is right. The EFCC chairman illustrated his point with an encounter involving a suspect who was brought to the commission for investigation and introduced himself using several religious titles.
The Sultan of Sokoto also praised NIREC as a unique platform for fostering dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of national unity and urged religious leaders to prioritize genuine mutual understanding over mere tolerance. The Sultan's remarks emphasize the need for peaceful coexistence and collaboration among Nigerians of different faiths.
Furthermore, the Sultan cautioned clerics to mind their utterances from the pulpit, especially during election periods, urging them to pray for national leaders rather than using religious platforms to incite division or attack public officers. He paid tribute to the outgoing Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, commending his eight-year tenure for transforming the council into a vibrant national platform.
In addition, Prof. Adedibu Ojerinde, Chairman of the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC), described the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Manuals Project as a joint strategic initiative between the EFCC and Nigeria's religious leadership to address the nation's moral crisis. The project aims to mobilize the pulpit and minbar to transform public morality through dedicated preaching manuals anchored in biblical and Qur'anic texts.
Key points
- The Sultan of Sokoto urges politicians to avoid using stolen funds for pilgrimages, emphasizing that God does not accept corrupt offerings.
- EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, expresses concern over the high number of religious leaders involved in financial crimes.
- The Sultan praises NIREC as a platform for fostering dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
