Governor Uzodimma Leads National Drive for Religious Harmony as 2025 NIREC Summit Opens in Owerri
Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has once again demonstrated visionary leadership by hosting and officially declaring open the 2025 Triannual Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Owerri. The high-profile summit, held at Rockview Hotel, brought together top Christian and Muslim leaders from across the nation to foster unity and national development under the theme, “Building Mutual Trust for National Development.”
Delivering a powerful keynote address, Governor Uzodimma passionately underscored the critical role of religious harmony in tackling Nigeria’s socio-political challenges. He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting interfaith dialogue as a foundational pillar for lasting peace, social cohesion, and inclusive national progress.
The Governor’s active participation and endorsement of the summit reflect a strong government stance on promoting unity through religious tolerance and dialogue. His support has been instrumental in providing an enabling environment for such high-level engagements in the Southeast region.
Distinguished dignitaries present at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh; and several other prominent leaders from both religious communities.
The 2025 Owerri summit marks a significant milestone in NIREC’s ongoing mission to bridge religious divides, de-escalate tensions, and promote a culture of mutual respect and understanding. It is expected to produce practical outcomes for countering extremism, reinforcing national values, and solidifying peaceful coexistence.
Established in 1999, NIREC is a 50-member body with equal representation from Islam and Christianity. The council provides a crucial platform for consistent dialogue, strategic collaboration, and resolution of faith-based conflicts. Governor Uzodimma’s leadership in hosting the summit reflects Imo State’s growing role in advancing national dialogue and unity.
With this successful summit, Governor Uzodimma has further positioned Imo State as a beacon of interfaith collaboration and a model for other states to emulate in the quest for national integration and development.
