Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has directed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to conduct an enumeration of religious centres across the state.
Ambode gave the directive while inaugurating 798 members of the NIREC appointed for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.
He was represented by Dr AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs at the inauguration.
“One of the core functions you are going to discharge is the collation of religious institutions at the local government level.
“You must ensure that you compile a list of all churches, all mosques, all faith-based organisations and forward same to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“I must also urge you to work closely with the local government chairman and all other officials at the local government level.
Speaking earlier, the Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the state NIREC, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said the inauguration of the council at the local government level was a proactive step taken by the government.
He said that this would ensure continued peaceful co-existence among all people of diverse religious and ethnic groups in the state.
“Today, we are inaugurating the members of NIREC at grassroots and it is a proactive step on the part of our governor to ensure that the monumental development that Lagos State is witnessing today is not taken for granted.
“Muslims and Christians are in a better position to ensure that we continue to have peace and inter-religious dialogue as well as peaceful co-existence in Lagos State,’’ Yusuf said.
Also speaking, the co-chairman (Christian) of the state NIREC, Dr Israel Akinadewo, remarked that religious leaders must continue to educate their followers, especially the vulnerable ones at the grassroots.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 14 persons, comprising seven Muslims and seven Christians each, were appointed into the NIREC in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.
