Agenzia Fides REPORT - "I have not seen the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) yet, so I cannot comment on it," said Archbishop John Namazi Niyiring, Bishop of Kano, northern Nigeria. According to a report released today, May 16, by Human Rights Watch, the clashes which followed last month's presidential elections in Nigeria have killed over 800 people in three days. "After the violence of recent weeks, the situation is calm in Kano, as well as in several other areas of northern Nigeria, although we do not know what will happen in the future," says Mgr. Niyiring to Fides.
The Nigerian Church has on several occasions denounced politicians who incite hatred among the population. Bishop Matthew Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, in a press conference held after the conclusion of presidential elections, won by incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, called on political leaders to apologize to the Nigerian people for corruption and made an appeal to young people so that they do not become tools of manipulation and violence by unscrupulous politicians. Archbishop of Kaduna also pointed out that federal and local authorities have a duty to ensure the safety of all citizens. Mgr. Ndagoso nevertheless thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for having "provided a ray of hope to Nigerians.
In a previous interview with Fides (see Fides 04/05/2011) Mgr. Niyiring stressed the importance of interreligious dialogue to resolve disputes among different communities and prevent further violence. "We have not yet had a meeting with Muslim leaders but I hope the Interreligious Council meet very soon, for its usual monthly meeting, to discuss the latest events," concluded the Bishop of Kano.
The Nigerian Church has on several occasions denounced politicians who incite hatred among the population. Bishop Matthew Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, in a press conference held after the conclusion of presidential elections, won by incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, called on political leaders to apologize to the Nigerian people for corruption and made an appeal to young people so that they do not become tools of manipulation and violence by unscrupulous politicians. Archbishop of Kaduna also pointed out that federal and local authorities have a duty to ensure the safety of all citizens. Mgr. Ndagoso nevertheless thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for having "provided a ray of hope to Nigerians.
In a previous interview with Fides (see Fides 04/05/2011) Mgr. Niyiring stressed the importance of interreligious dialogue to resolve disputes among different communities and prevent further violence. "We have not yet had a meeting with Muslim leaders but I hope the Interreligious Council meet very soon, for its usual monthly meeting, to discuss the latest events," concluded the Bishop of Kano.
Comments