Oloyede, who is the Secretary General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that although NIREC has attracted strong support of successive governments in Nigeria, such support had turned out to be its albatross.

The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) spoke yesterday in Malete, Kwara State, at this year’s annual lecture of the Nigerian Academy of Letters hosted by Kwara State University,(KWASU).

Oloyede, who spoke on the topic: “Utilising religion for National Integration and Development,” believed that “NIREC has suffered the malaise that usually affects prominent nation-wide social initiatives some of which this august gathering is well apprised of.”

The Professor of Islamic Studies added: “I must quickly note that for religion to become a partner in national integration, the clergy and those often referred to as religious scholars should be trained, certified and monitored on better public conduct by accredited national institutions such as universities and academic institutes.

“It can be said of NIREC that it has sufficiently sensitised a large number of Nigerians who are now intolerant of its being comatose. Inter-religious groups and initiatives are springing up by the day in Nigeria,” “Majority of Nigerian Muslims can be regarded as Sunni but they have no grudge against the Shiites. Nigeria welcomes assistance and cooperation from the US, but should avoid being dragged into a proxy war as canon-folders.