Catholic clerics preach hope as IPOB disowns broadcaster

Catholic Bishops have reviewed the situation of the country, urging citizens to hope in God amid government’s failure to meet basic requirements of the governed.

The bishops said Nigerians were undergoing excruciating pain created by government’s inability to improve standards of living and provide security and employment to youths. They also warned of the consequences of demonising those who disagree with policies and activities of the government.

Speaking at the second plenary of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Enugu, yesterday, its President, Most Rev. Augustine O. Akubeze, said the admonition on hope is not “predicated on the economy of Nigeria.” According to him, “if we rely on our human strength alone to get us out of this current situation we are in now, we will certainly not come out of it. So, have your hope in God.”

The conference, which began with a mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, will end on Thursday. Akubeze said: “Nigerians are bearing a high level of inflation, depreciation of the naira, increased poverty, herders/farmers crisis, insecurity and lack of basic amenities due to the inability of the Federal Government to respond to the cries of many Nigerians. There are selective sectional appointments to federal positions and every move seems to be targeted against the good of the citizenry. The government must rise to its responsibility.”

Also speaking, immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, called for a federating unit that allows regions to control their security as a means of creating cohesion in the country.

Meanwhile, barely one month after he was sacked as Director of Radio Biafra, Simeon Ekpa has again been denied membership of the Finland chapter of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The development has widened the crisis in the leadership of the group. Detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had earlier named Ekpa as his successor in Radio Biafra.

A statement, yesterday, signed by Anthony Obasi, National Co-ordinator, IPOB Finland; Chika Madu, National Secretary, IPOB Finland; and Nwada Victoria, National Financial Secretary, IPOB Finland, said: “This is to inform IPOB members worldwide over the raging issue as to whether Mazi Simon Ekpa is a registered member of IPOB Finland or not, where he is resident.

“We, IPOB Finland family, under the command and leadership of Oyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to make it categorically clear to whom it may concern that Simon Ekpa is not a member of IPOB Finland. He has never been a part of us before now. And till date, he is not a registered IPOB member according to our records.”