Two clerics, Prof. Amidu Sanni and Bishop Charles Ighele , on Monday faulted calls for the establishment of a federal ministry of religion.
They said that the establishment of such a ministry would stir disharmony among religious groups and create other problems.
Ighele, a Christian cleric, and Sanni, a Muslim cleric, spoke in interviews on Monday in Lagos.
They were reacting to calls in some quarters for the establishment of the ministry to provide greater support for religious affairs.
Ighele, the General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission, Ikeja, said that the establishment of the ministry would not contribute to the much-needed human capital development.
“I do not see any need for the ministry. I do not see how this will contribute to human capital development and other forms of development.
“Instead, it will increase the already over-bloated cost of governance.
“The first area of major dispute is likely to be whether a Christian or a Muslim or a traditional worshipper should be the first minister,” he said.
Ighele said disputes over unequal representation of different religions in the hiring of personnel for the ministry would likely have no end.
“The energy needed for national development will be diverted into endless disagreements,” he said.
Sanni, the Chief Imam of Lagos State University, said that there was no need to contemplate establishing such a ministry.
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According to him, dedicating a ministry to religion will fuel religious intolerance.
“There are intra and inter-religious disharmony already retarding national progress. Creating the ministry will cause more problems.
“The first major problem will be in the leadership and personnel.
“Will it be headed by a Muslim, a Christian, a traditionalist, or an atheist?
“As a matter of fact, government should hands off all matters of religion and limit its involvement only to enablement of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Rome and Israel,” he said.
He said that religious education in schools should be encouraged with proper curriculum and personnel to enhance religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
