{
  "id": 2961467,
  "title": "Religion must unite, not divide Nigerians — Fashola",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/religion-must-unite-not-divide-nigerians-fashola",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T06:42:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/religion-must-unite-not-divide-nigerians-fashola/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has called for increased religious tolerance in Nigeria, emphasizing that faith should bring people together rather than create divisions. The statement was made at the \"God in My Life\" lecture organized by the Torchbearer Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC) in Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Fashola, a Muslim, maintained that religion should remain a personal belief and not be imposed on others. He urged Nigerians of various religious backgrounds to respect one another, asserting that coexistence was vital for national unity. Fashola described God as the architect of the universe, noting that His influence could be observed in various aspects of life, including family, friends, schools, and workplaces. Reflecting on his own life, he recalled his early ties to the Anglican Church and how those experiences contributed to his personal growth. He also mentioned several life-threatening incidents during his younger years, which he attributed to youthful carelessness but credited to divine intervention. The former governor challenged the audience to consider the extent of human control over their life's journey, asking if any of them could decide the order in which life's phases would occur. Fashola emphasized that the uncertainties and experiences in life should remind people of God's ongoing role in their existence. In his keynote address, the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West's Bishop, Rt. Revd. Olusola Odedeji, described the \"God in My Life\" program as an opportunity for reflection, testimony, and gratitude, encouraging participants to appreciate the divine presence in their lives. Odedeji also highlighted that loneliness need not be a state of isolation. The Bishop commended Fashola for serving as a role model for young people, noting that youths across the diocese attended the event to learn from his experiences and find inspiration in his life. The annual lecture series brings together prominent Nigerians from various fields to share their insights on faith, leadership, public service, and business, underlining the significance of faith, tolerance, and national unity.",
  "summary": "Babatunde Fashola advocates for religious tolerance in Nigeria, stressing that faith should unite people, not divide them. Learn more about his call for pe Read More: https://punchng.com/religion-must-unite-not-divide-nigerians-fashola/",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Lagos Governor Fashola calls for religious tolerance in Nigeria",
    "Faith should unite people, not create divisions",
    "God's influence observed in various aspects of life"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Fashola's call for religious tolerance and unity underscores the need for Nigerians to reconcile their differences and find common ground, reaffirming the role of faith as a unifying force rather than a source of division.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Religion must unite, not divide Nigerians — Fashola",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/religion-must-unite-not-divide-nigerians-fashola-2963567",
        "published": "2026-08-24T06:54:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}