LASG commemorates International Day of Tolerance

… Calls for mutual respect among residents

The Lagos State Government has called for mutual respect of views, culture and religion among its residents as the State joins other countries of the world to commemorate the 2019 United Nations International Day of Tolerance celebrated every 16th of November.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf advised residents of Lagos to be tolerant with one another, adding that mutual understanding is a form of respect for Human Rights.

Akinbile-Yussuf emphasized that Lagos State being a cosmopolitan State and home to people from varying background underscores the need for tolerance during interpersonal relationships.

She acknowledged the hospitality of residents of the State especially the receptive disposition of Lagosians to strangers, saying that the trait had earned the State accolades locally and internationally.

The Commissioner further commended the role of religious leaders in the State for instituting and maintaining religious harmony currently prevalent in the State. She noted that "It is only in Lagos State that you will have a Muslim marry a Christian and they will live harmoniously without conflict".

Akinbile-Yusuf opined that if mutual respect is observed by every resident, there will be less conflict and violence in the country, adding that the urge of wanting to impose an opinion or religion on another person is the basis for conflict and commotion being witnessed in other parts of the world.

The Commissioner revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has put in place programmes to mark the 2019 International Day of Tolerance which starts with a Road Walk on Saturday, 16th of November from Ikeja Local Government Secretariat to The Secretariat, Alausa as well as a Symposium with the theme: Enhancing harmonious Relationship and Peace among Religious bodies for Better Socio-economic Development in the State on Wednesday, 20th November, 2019 at the Regency Hall, Alausa.