At a time when the whole country is rejoicing and proud of the fact that President Tinubu embarked on a two-day trip to Rome to attend the inaugural Mass of the newly-installed Pope Leo XIV, Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the FG, has described his attendance as a “non-event” and alleged that it came about “as a consequence of the work of lobbyists”.
President Tinubu’s attendance at the Pope’s inaugural Mass in Rome was met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising his gesture of religious tolerance and harmony, while others like Babachir Lawal dismissed it as a mere publicity stunt orchestrated by lobbyists. The former Secretary to the FG’s comments have raised eyebrows and sparked a debate on the true intentions behind President Tinubu’s visit.
The fact that President Tinubu, a practicing Muslim, chose to attend such a significant event in the Christian world speaks volumes about his commitment to fostering religious harmony in Nigeria. Archbishop Kaigama of the Catholic Church commended President Tinubu for his attendance, highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation in a diverse society like Nigeria. Despite the positive reception from many Christians, Babachir Lawal’s remarks have cast a shadow of doubt on the sincerity of President Tinubu’s actions and intentions.
Not really sure why this matters, but Babachir’s criticism of President Tinubu’s visit seems to stem from a place of skepticism and disbelief. While it is important to have differing opinions in a democratic society, Babachir’s refusal to acknowledge the significance of the President’s gesture raises questions about his own biases and motives. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like Babachir is missing the bigger picture and failing to see the positive impact of President Tinubu’s actions on religious relations in the country.
President Tinubu’s decision to attend the Pope’s inaugural Mass should be seen as a step towards promoting unity and understanding among different faiths in Nigeria. Babachir Lawal’s criticism, on the other hand, only serves to divide and create unnecessary tension. As a former government official, Babachir should be more mindful of his words and the impact they have on public discourse. It’s time for him to reflect on his own biases and prejudices and work towards building a more inclusive and tolerant society for all Nigerians.
