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Africa Must Guard Its Cultural Values in Advancing Religious Freedom – PROCMURA
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.
Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter Azi, is dead.
Azi died on Thursday, August 13, 2026, according to a member of his family who confirmed the development to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The former lawmaker was said to have died peacefully. However, the family has not disclosed the cause of his death.
The family member, John Azi, announced the death while speaking with journalists in Jos.
He said: “With total submission to the will of God Almighty, the Azi Ajang family announces the passing unto glory of their son, brother and father, Mr Peter Azi, the former Speaker of Plateau House of Assembly
“He peacefully joined his creator today, August 13.
The announcement has brought an end to the life of a politician who spent several years in Plateau State’s legislative affairs.
Azi represented Jos North-West Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly. He later became Speaker of the eighth Assembly after emerging as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He assumed the leadership of the House in June 2015 and remained in the position until July 2018, when he was removed by his colleagues.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had 13 lawmakers, while the APC had 11 members. Despite the APC being in the minority, Azi emerged Speaker after the PDP candidate stepped down.
Azi was elected unopposed after Istifanus Mwansat, who had initially been nominated by the PDP, withdrew from the contest.
The development allowed the Assembly to proceed with the inauguration of its principal officers after an earlier delay.
During his time as Speaker, Azi was involved in several issues affecting governance and security in Plateau State.
He spoke regularly on the need to address violent attacks in communities across the state. He also pushed for stronger legislative institutions and greater independence for state Houses of Assembly.
In June 2017, Azi called for financial autonomy for state legislatures.
He argued that the dependence of state legislatures on governors for funding weakened their ability to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
“The legislative arm is mostly constrained in performing some of its functions because it is at the mercy of the executive to release funds for it.
“This is why we have been agitating and yearning for autonomy, especially in terms of finances to enable the legislature perform its duties effectively.”
His tenure also coincided with a period of serious security challenges in Plateau State.
Politics Nigeria recalls that Azi’s exit from the Speakership in 2018 came after months of political tension within the Plateau State House of Assembly.
On July 11, 2018, lawmakers removed him from office during a dramatic sitting in Jos.
The motion leading to his removal was based on a vote of no confidence. The action also affected the then Majority Leader, Henry Yunkwap, who was removed from his position on the same day.
Azi, however, did not publicly express bitterness over his removal.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on July 11, 2018, shortly after he was impeached, he said he had no regrets about losing the position.
“As we speak, I don’t have any regrets over my removal as Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly.”
He described the development as part of the political process and accepted the decision of his colleagues.
“To me, the removal is just a part of the legislative dynamism, which I should gladly accept as it helps in shaping our democracy.”
Azi also said his removal would give him more time to concentrate on his constituency.
“In fact, I now feel relieved because now I have time to parley with people in my own constituency, because, then as the Speaker, I took the entire state as my constituency.”
Earlier in July 2018, the Assembly had approved an extension of the tenure of transition committee chairmen in 15 of the state’s 17 local government areas.
Azi had announced the decision on the floor of the House.
“By this voice vote, the House has approved the extension of the TICs tenure in 15 out of the 17 local government areas of the state by one month,” he said.
The decision reportedly caused disagreements among lawmakers.
The House later moved against Azi, with 17 lawmakers signing the impeachment notice.
Joshua Madaki subsequently emerged as his replacement.
Following his removal, Madaki acknowledged Azi’s contribution to the Assembly and called on him to support the new leadership.
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