The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye, has assured all religious groups in the state of fair deal and impartial priority to their welfare to ensure religious religious tolerance in the system.

Afuye, who recognized the crucial role of religion in bringing men closer to God and teaching morality, thereby reducing crimes in the society, reiterated the determination of the Oyebanji government to work in harmony with religious stakeholders in the State.

The Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Victor Ogunje, said Afuye gave the assurance while welcoming members of the new Christian Pilgrimage Protection Council, led by its chairman, the now Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ekiti State Chapter, Chairman, Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye in his office in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

In her message to Board members, Mrs. Afuye, said building a society free from religious fanaticism and intolerance remains the best way to enable Nigeria to join the league of developed states of the world.

She described religious extremism which manifests itself in forms of hatred, insurrection and senseless bombings and killings as a destroyer of humanity which she said must be condemned by all lovers of humanity.

“We must first thank our gracious governor for putting you, the state CAN chairman and other senior Christian leaders, at the helm of the board. It is a historic feat. No nation can play with the religions of its citizens because of its ties to moral education and spiritual rebirth.

“The constitution of the board shows the government’s seriousness in putting Christians directly in charge of their own affairs and it has always been fair to all religious bodies in the state,” she enthused.

In his presentation, the new Chairman of the State Council for the Welfare of Christian Pilgrimage, who is also the Chairman of CAN, Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye, extolled the virtues of the governor as a God-fearing man.

He explained that Christians in the state had never had so much pleasure assuring that they would continue to support the government to ensure that God’s purpose for the people of Ekiti was realized.