Stakeholders advocate increased inter-faith

Stakeholders in inter- faith/ religious affairs and peace dialogue rose from their workshop, sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), yesterday, at the Imo State University, Owerri, calling for increased effort in promotion of faith-based issues as basis for national peace and integration.

In the forum and launch of ‘Faiths for Peace and National Integration,’ the co- principal investigator of the research-based event, Prof. Hope Amolo, noted that absence of inter-faith tolerance, violence, fanaticism and other forms of misrepresentations, as well as prejudices and lack of understanding have caused devastating problems in the country.

She hinted that the dialogue had been scheduled to hold in the six geopolitical zones of the country, saying that participants were drawn from lecturers of the University of Ibadan (UI) and Imo State University (IMSU), as well as students, among other stakeholders.

Speaking, the Vice- Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, represented by the Deputy Vice -Chancellor (Academics), Prof. (Fr.) Philip Ogbonna, said the interaction was necessary, adding that inter- faith religious dialogue was necessary to enhance religious harmony, which, by extension, guarantees peace and progress.