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‘Stop agonising, start organising’ — CCN, PROCMURA deepen interfaith dialogue in South-East

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) have intensified efforts to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding in South-East Nigeria, with a fresh move to revive the Nigeria East Area Committee of PROCMURA.

The initiative emerged from a stakeholders’ engagement held at Vision Africa Radio Station, Government Station Layout, Umuahia, Abia State, on October 6, 2026, during a South-East visit by the PROCMURA leadership.

The meeting brought together senior church leaders, theological educators and students, women and youth representatives and other stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Among those who participated were the President of CCN, His Grace Most Revd. Dr. David O. C. Onuoha; the General Secretary, Rt. Revd. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D.; President of Vision Africa International, His Grace Most Revd. Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha; Moderator of the Enugu Synod of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Prof. Ezichi Ituma; Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, Most Revd. Barr. C. N. Ede; Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, Most Revd. Dr. Isaac Nwobia; Methodist Bishop of Umuahia-East, Rt. Rev. Dr. Best Okike; CCN Chairman, Ebonyi State, Most Rev. Godswill Onyeuwaoma; CCN Chairman, Imo State and President of Imo Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Uzoma Uzoeshi; and Anambra State CAN Chairman, Venerable Joseph Nweke.

Also in attendance were the Rectors of Methodist Theological Institute, Umuahia, and Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, alongside theological students and representatives of women and youth groups.

‘Stop agonising, Start organising’

In his remarks, the CCN President, Onuoha, called for a change in the approach to interfaith relations, urging religious leaders to place their common humanity ahead of religious differences.

He argued that religious identity is often shaped by the circumstances into which people are born, noting that a person born into a Muslim family could grow up to become a committed Muslim cleric, just as someone born into a Christian family could become a Christian minister.

Against this background, he urged Christians and Muslims to recognise their shared humanity, respect one another’s faith traditions and uphold the sanctity of human life.

Archbishop Onuoha

The CCN President challenged church leaders to move beyond complaints and take practical steps towards building relationships across religious divides.

“Stop agonising but start organising,” he urged.

The PROCMURA delegation was led by its General Advisor, Bishop Nathan Samwini, Ph.D., and Ms. Joy Wandabwa.

Presenting PROCMURA’s approach to Christian-Muslim relations, Samwini traced the historical development of interactions between the two faith traditions, from their origins in Mecca and Medina to contemporary Africa.

He challenged Christian leaders to approach their Muslim neighbours with openness and courage, encouraging them to learn about their beliefs and practices rather than relying on assumptions.

According to him, meaningful interfaith relations require genuine engagement and a willingness to understand the other faith tradition.

He urged Christians to develop relationships with Muslims in their communities and become good neighbours, stressing that such engagement was important for the wellbeing of society.

The engagement also featured a paper presentation by The Very Rev. Dr. Innocent Mark Mbadiwe, a faculty member at the Methodist Theological Institute, Umuahia.

Rebuilding the Interfaith Structure

A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to re-establish the Nigeria East Area Committee of PROCMURA, providing a structured platform for sustained Christian-Muslim engagement across the South-East.

The proposed revival of the area committee is expected to provide a stronger framework for dialogue, relationship-building, peace education and collaborative responses to issues affecting peaceful coexistence.

The initiative also places theological institutions and younger religious leaders at the centre of interfaith engagement, with students from the Methodist Theological Institute and Trinity Theological College participating in the discussions.

For the organisers, the renewed engagement is not simply about responding to religious tensions when they arise. It is about building relationships before crises occur, deepening mutual understanding and creating channels through which communities can address differences peacefully.

The Umuahia engagement therefore marked another step in efforts by CCN and PROCMURA to strengthen a culture of dialogue and peaceful coexistence, while equipping religious leaders and communities in the South-East to contribute more actively to interfaith peacebuilding.