The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has called on Nigerians to stand united in confronting terrorism and religious extremism, stressing that national cooperation is crucial to overcoming insecurity and restoring peace.
The monarch made the appeal at his Oke Aremo Palace in Ibadan during a courtesy visit from the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
Reflecting on over a decade of violent insurgency, Oba Ladoja lamented the heavy toll terrorism has taken on the country since 2014, citing massive deaths, displacement, and property destruction.
“Thousands of lives have been lost, and property worth trillions destroyed. Families, especially women and children, have been displaced, while kidnappings continue unabated. From Jonathan to Buhari and now Tinubu, governments have spent trillions fighting insecurity. Yet, terrorists do not differentiate between Muslims and Christians—they target everyone,” he said.
He urged Bishop Oke and the PFN to continue promoting peace and perseverance among Christians, assuring that the nation would overcome its current challenges.
Oba Ladoja emphasized the South-West’s longstanding tradition of religious harmony and encouraged other regions to emulate this spirit of tolerance and coexistence.
While acknowledging growing international concern over Nigeria’s security crisis, the monarch cautioned against foreign interference, insisting that any external involvement must come through cooperation and mutual respect.
Earlier, Bishop Wale Oke congratulated Oba Ladoja on his ascension as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, praying for wisdom and divine guidance in his leadership.
In a related development, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to retract his recent statement labeling Nigeria a “disgraced country.”
Following a meeting of its Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the NSCIA described Trump’s comment as inflammatory and misleading.
Addressing journalists, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, NSCIA Secretary-General, said the Council was concerned that some “Islamophobic and unpatriotic Nigerians” were distorting facts abroad to portray Nigeria as a nation facing Christian genocide.
He stressed that insecurity in Nigeria affects citizens of all faiths and backgrounds, driven by a mix of terrorism, banditry, ethnic clashes, and poor governance.
