I thought if informed persons get into leadership in any given organization, the outlook of such organizations will certainly improve and attract attention. The same could be said of religious organizations. With persons roundly educated in the tenets of their faith in leadership positions, understanding of their followers will also be rich and deep and tolerant of non-adherents of that faith.
I came off with this conclusion after watching an interaction in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria between the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is hosting the second Plenary of the Bishops’ Conference for 2018 in Sokoto.
The Bishops paid a courtesy visit on the Sultan at his Palace in Sokoto. Meanwhile, Sokoto is the seat of the Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria. As part of his traditional way of welcoming his visitors, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III presented to each of the Bishops, a set of flowing gown, a kaftan and a red cap to match.
Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Akubueze, wore the gown and cap to the administration of the Sultan and all present.
