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Africa Must Guard Its Cultural Values in Advancing Religious Freedom – PROCMURA

Published

10 months ago

October 23, 2025

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The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) has honoured women leaders across Plateau and Kaduna States for their exceptional contributions to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and strengthening interfaith harmony in their communities.

The event, themed “Celebration of Women’s Leadership,” was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Odilin’s Event Centre, Jos, bringing together faith leaders, traditional rulers, women advocates, and government representatives to celebrate women who have advanced inclusivity, peacebuilding, and faith-based leadership.

In his keynote address, Bishop Nathan Swamini, PROCMURA’s General Adviser from Kenya, reflected on the organization’s 65-year journey of fostering Christian-Muslim dialogue across Africa. He recalled that in 1997, such conversations were difficult to initiate in Nigeria, but progress has since been remarkable.

“Today, Christians and Muslims are not only sitting together to talk but also sharing meals and working for peace,” Bishop Swamini said. “We have come a long way from times of suspicion and hostility to a new era of understanding and collaboration.”

He commended the resilience of women leaders in promoting peace and freedom of belief while urging stakeholders to sustain these gains for future generations. Swamini further emphasized the need to uphold African values and cultural contexts in promoting FoRB, warning against external misinterpretations of the concept.

Elder Mrs. Justina Mike-Ngwobia, PROCMURA’s FoRB Coordinator for Women, highlighted the ongoing violations of women’s religious rights, such as forced conversions, early marriages, and discrimination in worship spaces, often masked as cultural practices.

“Violations of women’s rights to freedom of religion and belief are often normalized under the guise of culture or tradition,” she explained. “This project seeks to amplify women’s voices, challenge harmful practices, and create safe spaces for dialogue and transformation within communities.”

She noted that the initiative has facilitated joint dialogues between men and women in communities across Jos North, Bassa, and Kuru (Plateau State) as well as Sabon Tasha, Chikun, and Kaduna South (Kaduna State) — strengthening interfaith cooperation and understanding.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, Plateau State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and religious tolerance across Nigeria.

“When we go together, we achieve more,” she said. “Peace begins with each of us, and it is our collective responsibility to live in harmony regardless of religious or cultural differences.”

The celebration featured cultural performances, traditional displays, and the presentation of leadership awards to outstanding women who have strengthened interfaith relations. Among those honoured were Hajia Hamza Sumaye, newly appointed National Amira of the FORB Women Network, and Dr. Rhoda Soya, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), recognized for their exemplary service and leadership.

Participants, dressed in vibrant traditional attire, celebrated the spirit of unity, diversity, and progress that defines interfaith collaboration in Plateau and Kaduna States.

The PROCMURA Celebration of Women’s Leadership stands as another milestone in the organization’s mission to build peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and gender-inclusive faith communities across Africa.

News

Nigerian Teenage Stars Raheem Salaudeen, Fawas Adeleke Spark UK Scholarship Interest After Stunning Trial

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Preport

Two promising Nigerian midfielders, Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen and Fawas Ayomide Adeleke, have attracted significant attention in the United Kingdom after impressing during a football trial, with both youngsters now being considered for scholarship opportunities that could combine their football development with further education.

The teenage midfielders, who are products of Buruj Sports Academy, caught the attention of the technical team with their performances during the trial, opening the door to what could become a major step forward in their young careers.

Following their impressive showing, Anthony Williams MSC, Director of UK Football Trials, approached the players over a potential scholarship opportunity, with discussions now ongoing with their management representatives.

The proposed scholarships would give the two youngsters an opportunity to continue their football development in the United Kingdom while also pursuing further education, providing a pathway that could prove crucial to their ambitions of becoming professional footballers.

Salaudeen, born on May 13, 2010, has already built an impressive international résumé despite his young age.

The midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level during a two-legged international friendly against Morocco in 2024 before featuring for the country at the All African School Games in Algeria in 2025.

His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Nigeria U-17 set-up for a four-nation international invitation tournament in China in 2026.

Salaudeen has also gained experience beyond youth international football, having featured in Nigeria’s Nationwide League One, giving him an opportunity to compete against older and more experienced players.

Adeleke, born on April 20, 2011, has followed a similarly impressive path.

The young midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level against Morocco in 2024 and was also part of the Nigerian team at the African Schools Football Championship in 2025.

Like Salaudeen, Adeleke has already stepped into senior football through appearances in the Nationwide League One despite still being a teenager.

That combination of youth international experience and exposure to senior football has now helped place both players firmly on the radar in the United Kingdom.

Their latest trial has therefore become more than just another opportunity to showcase their ability.

It could potentially open the door to a new football and educational environment where they can continue developing their technical and tactical qualities while preparing academically for their future.

Both players have completed their secondary education in Nigeria and are now looking ahead to the possibility of beginning the next chapter of their lives in the United Kingdom.

For Salaudeen and Adeleke, the opportunity comes at a crucial stage in their development, with both youngsters determined to take full advantage of the interest generated by their performances.

Their journey from representing Nigeria at youth international level, to gaining valuable senior experience in the NLO, and now attracting scholarship interest in the United Kingdom, underlines the progress made by the two Buruj Sports Academy products.

With discussions over the proposed scholarships continuing, the young Nigerians now have an opportunity that could take their careers to another level.

And if they can build on the promise that attracted attention during their UK trial, Salaudeen and Adeleke could be taking their first major steps towards turning their dream of professional football into reality.

Business

AXA Mansard Health Takes World Hepatitis Day Campaign to Bariga with Free Screenings and Community Relief

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Preport

PRESS RELEASE—As part of efforts to promote preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases, AXA Mansard Health has taken its hepatitis awareness campaign to Bariga, Lagos, providing residents with free screening, health education and support services.
The initiative, organised to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, reflects the health management organisation’s continued focus on improving access to preventive healthcare, particularly in communities where routine screening and health information may be limited.
Residents who participated in the outreach received free hepatitis screening and were educated on prevention, diagnosis and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.
The programme also extended beyond medical intervention, with relief packages distributed to vulnerable families in the community as part of efforts to provide immediate support to beneficiaries.
According to AXA Mansard Health, taking health education and screening directly to communities is critical to closing gaps in awareness and access to preventive services.
The initiative underscores the growing importance of preventive healthcare in Nigeria, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to routine screening can worsen the health and financial consequences of treatable diseases.
For insurers and health maintenance organisations (HMOs), greater emphasis on prevention and early detection could also help reduce long-term healthcare costs by encouraging timely intervention before illnesses become more severe.
The Bariga outreach therefore highlights a broader shift in healthcare delivery towards awareness, screening and early intervention rather than treatment after diseases have advanced.
AXA Mansard Health said it would continue to support initiatives that equip Nigerians with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their health.
The organisation stressed that sustained public education and improved access to screening are essential to preventing hepatitis from progressing into serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.
The campaign also demonstrates the role of private-sector, early detection and preventive care.

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