FOUR prominent religious leaders in
Nigeria have been elected into the Council of Religions for Peace, a United
Nations-backed organisation for global harmony.
The newly-elected leaders of the council include the Sultan of Sokoto and
President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affair, NSCIA, Alhaji
Sa’ad Abubakar; Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; the
President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle; and a
Catholic Rev. Sister, Agatha Chikelue.
A statement by CAN’s Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Vondip, said
the election took place at the 10th World Assembly of Council of Religions for
Peace in Lindau, Germany.
The Council also confirmed the election of Professor Azza Karam, an
experienced erudite scholar and UN staff as the new Secretary General of the
Organisation. Professor Karam, a Muslim Egyptian woman, replaces Dr. William
Vendley and is the first African and woman to have risen to that position.
A Nigerian woman and Catholic Sister, Agatha Chikelue, is also elected as
woman representative of Women of Faith into the Council.