The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday, said that many committees formed by the government to investigate corruption cases were mere waste of time.

Addressing attendees at the Purposeful Men’s Symposium in Abuja, held in honour of Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili, who marked his 70th birthday, Bakare underscored the pivotal role that men of integrity play in remedying systemic challenges.

His declaration punctuated a gathering aimed at dissecting the root causes of societal struggles from family breakdowns to institutional failings and beyond.

Bakare pointed out that the pervasive struggles in families, communities, organisations and nations reflect a profound internal dissonance.

Leveraging his legal expertise, he emphasised the indispensable values of character, competence and capacity, which are foundational for societal progress.

He underscored the intrinsic nature of man, created in the image of God, highlighting the necessity of spiritual growth to avert moral decline and social dysfunction.

The cleric also addressed the need to confront the root causes of societal woes.
“There are many theories about how to end corruption in Nigeria. EFCC cannot do it; ICPC cannot fix it. The antidote to corruption is only one thing: the manifestation of the sons of God under righteous authority. Setting up committees to investigate corruption by corrupt individuals, who cannot execute it, is a waste of time,” he declared.

Bakare called for a return to God’s original design across various spheres of influence, including family, business and national governance.
Pastor Ezekwesili shared poignant personal stories, emphasising the importance of individual accountability and divine grace.

In a conversation with Chude Jideonwo, Ezekwesili reflected on miraculous survival against the odds, emphasising the role of faith and tenacity.

He underscored the guiding divine hand through his challenges, stressing the significance of faith and resilience.

Ezekwesili’s life story, richly woven with familial and cultural strands, demonstrated the transformative impact of living with purpose.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s Civil War, Ezekwesili remarked: “To those unfamiliar with war, understand this: war is not wrestling; war means death. So, for some young men who have no idea, the minute we want to go to war, you have no idea what war is. War is real; war is death.

“After the war, we returned to my village, not exactly a village, but still, it was like a village. It was the headquarters of a local council before the war. Unfortunately, it is bereft of water, no lights, no roads.
“My deepest prayer is for Nigeria to be spared from the scourge of war. May we be blessed with leaders who will steer us clear from conflict, for war brings nothing but suffering. The difference between the stench of a dead animal and that of a human corpse is a stark reminder of war’s true cost.”

Discussing his entry into gospel ministry, Ezekwesili revealed: “Yes, I happen to come from the tribe of the Levites. So, for those of you who understand, my maternal grandfather was a priest and actually became an Anglican Church missionary. In fact, my grandfather established the first Igbo church in Jos.

“My uncles were all priests at one time, and the eldest one was a catechist. My father was to join as well. However, he was advised against it because of his bluntness and forthrightness, as he may not be able to survive in the ministry. And what does that mean? So, he was advised not to pursue ministry and instead went into education.”