ABUJA — The Imam of the National Mosque in Abuja, Haroun Eze, has endorsed Niger State Governor Umar Bago’s directive requiring preachers to submit their sermons for government vetting before delivering them to congregations, Chatnewstv.com reports.
Speaking Monday on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Eze — the first Igbo Imam of the National Mosque — described the policy as “a welcome development” aimed at fostering unity and responsibility among religious leaders.
“The Niger State government is interested in what is coming from religious leaders to the populace in addressing the social, economic, and security issues we have,” he said.
Eze added that sermons should contribute to nation-building.
“Religious leadership should be seen to work hand in hand in terms of promoting good governance,” he said.
“What the Imam, Pastor or the Reverend is doing is dishing out information and materials to shape the mind and character of the citizenry, and that should crystallize into better citizens, governance, relationship and having peace within one another.”
Governor Bago recently announced the vetting directive as part of his administration’s effort to regulate religious preaching in the state.
