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Olumakaiye, Fayemi restate call for national confab, restructuring

By Isaac Taiwo
02 May 2021   |   2:54 am
The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Missioner (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye has called for collective effort to wrestle the ship of the Nigerian state

[FILES] Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye. Photo: ANGLICANNIGERIA

The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Missioner (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye has called for collective effort to wrestle the ship of the Nigerian state from total wreck, amidst gripping insecurity being fueled by kidnappings, banditry and insurgency.

Olumakaiye made the call at the 2021 Pre-Synod Nehemiah Summit of the Diocese of Lagos with the theme: ‘Towards a Safe and Secure Nigeria’, held at All Souls’ Church, Lekki Phase 1.

The cleric lamented the ripple effect of insecurity that has led to economic reports in recent weeks showing high inflation rate, the likes of which has not been witnessed in this nation for a long time.

“Prices of goods and services have skyrocketed, with millions of Nigerians unable to eat one-square meal per day.

“Every sector of the nation has crumbled and the vital signs of the nation, as diagnosed by mere observation, are showing acute sign of a failed state and this is a nation that was pregnant with great potential of becoming leading state in Africa and one of the leading states in the world some six decades ago,” he
lamented.

He called for unity and dedication to rebuilding the nation through national conference and restructuring, saying this is the yearning from almost all quarters of the nation.

“It behooves us to have a national
conference and rework our constitution to reflect the will of all tribes in the nation. Restructuring is also paramount at regional, state and especially at the local government level.

“This year’s summit is unique and strategic in our collective effort to wrestle the ship of the Nigerian state from imminent wreck and this serves as the prophetic call and contribution of the Church to the ongoing national conversation of securing our great nation, Nigeria,” he said.

The keynote speaker at the Summit, Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the best way to solve the multiple problems ranging from kidnapping, armed banditry, economic down-turn, among others, is to come together to agree on changing the nation’s constitution.

Fayemi, who lamented loss of five students to kidnappers recently, said the loss was not just to the families of the victims, but to all Nigerians, said he believed Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai was not completely averse to negotiation.

The governor, who said terrorism hardly ever disappears on the military field, stressed that rather, they always get attenuated on the negotiation table, adding that there are other factors fueling terrorism, which include youth unemployment, among others.

He said solution to this is that government should first tend the tide of violence which need military and non-military action, noting that those bandits beyond redemption must be flushed out, though problems cannot be solved by taking them out violently as broader strategy, which include tackling youth unemployment, stemming the tide of drug proliferation, arms proliferation and re-ordering our national constitution to respond to local dynamics.

He added that multi-level policing ensuring that local citizens are also responsible in part for their own security must also be considered.

“There is no federal entity any where in the world that has unitary police and there is no reason why Nigeria should be unique, therefore, government should do something,” he said.

Olumakaiye in his message at the opening service for the 3rd Session of the 34th Synod which took place at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos called on leaders in the nation and average Nigerians not to cherish material values more than immaterial values knowing that one day, everyone would leave this world.

In the same vein, the Preacher, the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel and Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu called on Nigerians to value life more than any other thing and show mercy to others.

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