World Tolerance Day: Olagoke Cautions Politicians On Oppression, Advises Nigerians To Be Tolerant

As countries all over the world mark the World Tolerance Day, a renowned cleric, Alhaji (Professor) Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, JP has called on Nigerian youths to learn from the elders so as not to be misled in choosing the right path for their future. 

 

While delivering a lecture titled; "Tolerance: A Means To Foster Peace In a Multifaceted Society," to mark the World Tolerance Day and the first Annual Tolerance Day Symposium, Professor Olagoke described the youth as the hope of the country and urged them to take things easy in life and not look at corrupt Nigerian leaders as their role model. 

 

Prof. Olagoke, who is also the Arole Ogun Elu of Aare Alasa Dynasty, however called on Nigeria leaders to operate within the constitutional framework of the nation and shun attitudes that can negatively inspire the youth of the country. 

 

"Where there is no policy implementation, democracy cannot work. Fortunately, people from religious houses are supposed to be processed and refined to fill up the polity and the political space of the nation," he said.

 

While stating that bad policies are responsible for the  present crop of poor leadership we have in the country, he asserted that equity, concept of democracy will continue to elude us under the present circumstances.  

 

Prof.  Olagoke also called on Nigerian leaders to operate within the constitutional framework and not to frustrate the masses into pursuing negative means of achieving things in life. 

 

"Tolerance is a must for all of us to be above beastly behaviour and negative reactions because it is an antidote to disharmony for ease of promoting peace and development as well as safe and secured environment for investment and habitation driven by peaceful coexistence.

 

"Tolerate one another and be your brother's keepers because varieties and diversities are divine designs of God decreed to test our understanding, tolerance, love and the humane nature of accommodating others," he said.

 

In her remarks, the immediate past secretary of the National Youth Council, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaja Airat Adegbola stated that human beings will forever need each other for existence.  

 

It was on this premise that she advised that Nigerians should live in harmony for a better co-existence, saying that there is the need for Nigerians to tolerate each other to grow positively.

 

She however, urged the youth to have a mind of tolerance irrespective of religion and ethnicity. 

 

The immediate past Chairman of the National Youth Council, Oyo State Council, Ambassador Agbeja Adebobola stated that tolerance is required to have social development, and called on the media to endeavour to preach tolerance at all times. 

 

According to her, tolerance will reduce societal vices and build up peace in our community. 

 

"If we can tolerate our religious diversity,  the community, state and the world at large will be better," she said.

 

 

Agbeja, who is also the Executive Director of Young And Women Initiative (YAWI), however, commended Professor Olagoke for recognising the youth and for his continuous love for the youth to excel in life. 

 

Pastor Adejobi Olaposi, who represented the National Orientation Agency (NOA) at the event, in his remarks, charged the youth that the future of the country is in their hands. 

 

He urged them to improve their social status to change the society positively and not to adopt violence as a means of achieving their goals in life.