First Lady Urges Christians to be Tolerant

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on the African Christian community, especially in Nigeria, to go beyond religious sentiments and tolerate one another.

She gave the charge yesterday when she received the leadership of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) at the State House in Abuja.

The delegation, which was led by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), was in her office to intimate her of the forthcoming 2024 International Conference of ABLI scheduled for October 2024 in Nigeria.

Tinubu noted that the church must harp more on biblical values, especially for the youths.

According to her, “Nigeria needs more prayers at this time, especially for the youths. It is very good for us to begin to train the youths and give them a proper mindset.” 

“The teachings in our churches should be biblically value-based so that we can get a better country.”

She charged the leadership of the ABLI to continue with its various programmes as a way of enhancing the spirituality of, not only Nigerian leaders, but Africa in general.

According to wife of the president, “African nations have a lot in common, and we should come together to address some of the issues affecting us.”

Earlier in his remarks, the former Head of State and leader of the ABLI delegation, Gowon, said the organisation sought to bring about qualitative transformation of African nations through leadership with biblical values.

He noted that the ABLI is a non-partisan organisation which is particular about raising a new generation of highly principled leaders with value for justice, value for integrity, value for wisdom and value for social harmony.

The International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative was instituted in 2010, and has its conference biennially with the venue rotated among various African countries; the last one was held in Rwanda.

Nigeria will host the next edition with the theme: ‘Value Based Leadership for Africa’, on October 21 to 25, 2024.