Ignorance, poverty and lack of moral values have been identified as the factors contributing to the high moral decadence prevalent in Nigerian society.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Olawale Albert, said this at 10th Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Foundation (ROOF) Annual Colloquium, themed, ‘A nation at War with Herself: The Panacea for Genuine Peace,’ and reechoed at 70th birthday celebration of Rufus Ositelu of The Church of the Lord (TCL), yesterday in Lagos.
According to him, if the already listed vices were sorted, peace would reign supreme in the country, as there would be a tangible progress without peace and security.
“We cannot continue to live in denial. Nigeria is a plural society with multiple ethnicities, languages and religions and should be run in accordance with the basic tenets of federalism. Anything contrary is absurd and a waste of time and sows the seed of mutual distrust and anarchy,” he said.
He said Nigeria needs unity in diversity and a new constitution, which is reflective of its diversity and federal in nature, saying that fiscal federalism is the answer to most of the woes confronting Nigeria.
“The national assembly’s attempt to review the Constitution is mere cosmetic tinkering with the present corrupt system. The expectation of the majority of Nigerians is that the ongoing review of the Constitution would avail the country the opportunity to make fundamental statement on restructuring and restoration of the federal principle and thus redefine the interrelationship between the component units to make the political system work more efficiently,” he said.
Politician, Gbenga Daniel, emphasised the need for Nigeria, as a nation to go back to God as leaving the work to politicians has not proven effective.
“Without spirituality and the blessings of God, all our natural resources would come to nothing. Clerics have a lot of work because it cannot be left to politicians,” he said.
Otunba Bayo Osiyemi, representing Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said nothing could be done without the approval of God.
He applauded the reverend for being one of the most level headed ministers of God in the country, adding that the administration would continue to identify with the church in solving the multiple challenges plaguing the state.
