The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has been appointed as the patron of the Ecumenical Synod of Bishops, Archbishops, and Senior Clergy Inc. (ESBAASC).

His appointment was announced during the group's international conference, held from August 22–25 at Emmanuel Park, RCCG Redemption Camp, reports Church Times Monday.

The theme of the conference is “Religious Tolerance in Nigeria and Across the Nations of the World.”

The conference x-rayed what religious tolerance is, its challenges and how to achieve it. rame>

PUNCH online reports that ESBAASC is a group likely including leaders from different Christian denominations who come together to discuss issues of mutual concern, such as promoting religious tolerance and unity.

Ecumenical efforts are initiatives that aim to bridge divides between different Christian groups, encouraging them to collaborate rather than remain isolated in their specific traditions.

During the event, Archbishop Prof. Kehinde Olubunmi, the International Prelate and Chief Host, nominated Pastor Enoch Adeboye as Patron and Archbishop Prof. Mary Ajisafe as Matron of ESBAASC.

Ajisafe is the Overseer of Peace of God Ministry in Lagos, PUNCH online reports.

According to the agency, the appointments were unanimously endorsed with a standing ovation.

Olubunmi highlighted ESBAASC's ongoing collaboration with global organisations to promote religious tolerance in Nigeria, emphasising that once this culture is ingrained, it will naturally extend to other parts of Africa.

Represented by RCCG National Overseer Emeritus, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, Adeboye lamented the current state of Nigeria compared to the past.

He reflected on his youth, when he fasted during Ramadan, shared meals with Muslims, and lived harmoniously among Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional religions.

Giving insight into what religious tolerance is, he said, “It is also a practice that helps to promote mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence, unity and peace among people of diverse cultures like Nigeria and the world.”

He noted, however, that the religious diversity of Nigeria had always given it a unique identity and commendation in the past.

Most religious and sectarian violence, according to him, are “politically motivated to the advantage of the politicians,” mostly when some feel that they are at a disadvantage economically and otherwise, compared to others.

Adeboye noted that the lack of religious tolerance in Nigeria and globally stems from factors such as religious divisions, sectarian violence at the slightest provocation, misguided beliefs about the sanctity of human life, a lack of meaningful dialogue and collaboration, and the tendency to label other faiths as inferior.

He urged conference participants to advocate for religious tolerance, emphasising that true believers in the Creator God will choose to love and preserve life rather than react with violence.

Citing various scriptures, he stressed that achieving tolerance requires the cooperation of international organisations, governments, and civil societies. This collective effort, he argued, would foster an environment where freedom of religion and diverse beliefs could flourish.

Earlier at the conference, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, a Muslim cleric, Chief Missioner, Sharia Adviser, and researcher at the University of Science, Malaysia, emphasised the importance of tolerance.

他警告说，尼日利亚人口众多，无法承受宗教战争带来的破坏。

奥尼克引用了阿道夫·希特勒（Adolf Hitler）的大屠杀和基地组织领导人奥萨马·本·拉登（Osama bin Laden）策划的9/11袭击等历史事件，作为不宽容和错误动机后果的悲惨例子。

奥贡州PFN/CPFN主席Apostle A.B. Otaru在活动上发表演讲，他说，宗教宽容是“对上帝的人性概念的理解”的必然结果。

小樽指出，缺乏对造物主的理解和爱，以及宗教领袖的失败，是宗教不宽容的主要原因。

他表示，他相信，如果包括尼日利亚在内的所有国家都对上帝表现出真正的爱，那么在全能的上帝的指导下，和平、团结和广泛的幸福就会到来。

冈比亚代表团团长塞缪尔·阿基诺拉主教博士分享说，在冈比亚，不受欢迎的叶海亚·贾梅（Yahya Jammeh）政府被成功推翻，当时基督徒团结起来，与占多数的穆斯林合作，尽管贾梅得到了联合国安理会的大力支持。

他敦促尼日利亚真正接受宗教宽容，并告诫不要仅仅安抚那些因轻微挑衅而迅速诉诸暴力的人。

Akinola指出，“在基督教中，许多人攻击耶稣基督，但没有一个基督徒反击。”

ESBAASC国际秘书兼行政主任，被称为活动主持人的大主教Williams Ozazie教授提出：“上帝不暴力。他的热情没有任何错误的方向。”

他引用了圣经中以利亚的故事，以利亚单枪匹马击败了400名拜巴力的人，后来又逃离了亚哈王的妻子耶洗别的愤怒。

威廉斯注意到，当以利亚孤身一人的时候，神让强风吹碎了岩石，接着是地震和火，然而神并没有在其中。他解释说，这是为了向以利亚和世界表明，上帝是和平的上帝，他渴望与人类和解。

在为期三天的活动中，ESBAASC的牧师们以严谨的军事表演为活动增添了色彩，许多人被授予新军衔的副中尉徽章；少将，将军，准将。等。

总牧师兼ESBAASC司令主教David K. Agboola博士在另一次采访中呼吁宗教暴力

他在讲话中说，他利用这个论坛赞扬尼日利亚军队、武装部队、警察和其他组织的负责人在打击近年来席卷尼日利亚的宗派暴力方面所发挥的作用。

与此同时，小明表示感谢，并指出将在适当时候发表公报并发送给有关部门。Tosin Oyediran

Tosin拥有超过六年的经验，为数字领域进行了精辟的采访，撰写了引人入胜的特写和子标题，并提供了有影响力的故事。