Lagos to set up databank for religious houses

The Lagos State government has announced plans to partner with the umbrella bodies of religious organisations for the establishment of a religious volunteer scheme in the State.

A process is also in motion to identify and collate data of all churches and mosques towards ensuring adequate security in places of worship in the state.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting with the executives of the Muslim community and Christian Association of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) which held at his office.

Deliberations at the meeting centered on how best to foster a better relationship between religious organisations and the state government.

In his address, Abdul Lateef emphasised the importance for religious organisations in the State to set new standard for the establishment and operations of Churches and Mosques.

He also canvassed the support for the establishment of a religious volunteer scheme made up of members of churches and mosques at every community that will serve as first emergency responders during disasters. This, he noted, will further compliment the efforts of existing agencies of the state.

He also solicited the support of CAN and the Muslim community in providing a web portal to ensure easy collation of data of all existing places of worship.

According to him, these new reforms of government would provide a more cordial platform for peaceful co-existence among people of different faith and serve as a platform where government can easily reach people in different communities with its policies, plans and activities.