In My Place My Dad Brought Christianity His Brother Brought Islam,Should We Be Fighting?- Babalola

Speaking during an interview on The Volume Pod, former Managing Editor of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Joe Bankole Babalola, has called for religious tolerance and unity, stressing that peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims remains a defining strength of Nigeria’s social fabric, particularly in the Southwest.

Babalola drew from personal and cultural experience to highlight how religious diversity can thrive without conflict when mutual respect exists.

According to him, the Yoruba example shows that religion does not have to be a source of division if communities choose understanding over hostility.

“We have Muslims in our own place. For example, in my place, my dad brought Christianity to our community. His brother, from another mother in the extended family, brought Islam. 

Should we be fighting ourselves? We don't do that in Yorubaland, and if anybody messes up there, they will stand up against him,” Babalola said.

Reflecting on his background, he explained that both Christianity and Islam exist within his extended family, yet harmony has never been a challenge.

He argued that this reality should serve as a lesson for other parts of the country where religious differences are often exploited to fuel tension.