The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have raised alarm that Nigeria is fast collapsing due to what they called lackadaisical governance and widespread corruption from federal down to the local government level.
The Bishops made this observation in a Communique issued at the end of a meeting held in Ibadan , Oyo State.
The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, comprises Ibadan Archdiocese, Ilorin, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Osogbo Dioceses.
The meeting was held from February 5-6 at the Jubilee Conference Centre , Ibadan.
The communique signed by Most Rev ‘Leke Gabriel Abegunrin and Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola, Chairman and Secretary respectively.
They observed that the ship of the nation is “foundering under the weight of pervasive insecurity, economic hardship due to hyperinflation and the collapse of the naira, cybercrime, high cost of food, lackadaisical governance and widespread corruption.
“Day-to-day living is fast becoming an ordeal for millions of Nigerians because pervasive poverty, driven by the harsh environment has driven many to desperation and even suicide. ”
The Clerics also expressed worry that Nigeria is fast becoming a hostile, killing field.
They said : “It would be nothing short of hypocritical to put all the misery being suffered by Nigerians today down to change in world economy.
” The truth is that often Nigerians are simply left to their own devices and left at the mercy of the most cruel and aggressive criminals by inept and selfish political and civil leaders.
“In all this, governments often seem weak or altogether absent. Any remedy now is even already too late for many Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorists, hunger, kidnapping and sundry disasters.
“We plead for urgent action from all our leaders to save the Nigeria ship from sinking.
“The much-vaunted renewed hope is turning to utter desperation in many places and there is not much time left.
“Violence and Bloodshed at Our Doorsteps
We decry the unfortunate events that have occurred recently right at our doorsteps in our ecclesiastical province.
“We are shocked by the regrettable kidnapping and killing of two monarchs, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olusola in Ekiti State and the kidnapping of teachers and school children in the same State.
“The same unfortunate fate befell Oba Peter Segun Aremu, the Olukoro of Koro of Kwara State and the kidnapping of his wife and two others.
“Thankfully the latter have now been released. This spate of criminality is a brutal assault on our collective reverence for the traditional institution and decency.
“It signals the descent of our society into a hobesian state of nature, nasty, brutish and short, even here in the South West.
“We also condole with the victims of the recent explosion in Bodija area at Ibadan.
“In all this, we pay tribute to the sacrifice of our soldiers and security agents who risk their lives for our security, some of whom have gotten killed in the line of duty.
“May God rest the souls of the dead, comfort those who mourn, and provide for all who have suffered heavy losses from these events.
“We declare that the time to stop this spiralling violence and bloodshed is now, before it becomes irreversible, by repositioning our security agencies to make them more pre-emptive and proactive.
“All is Not Well and Positive Change is Needed
We admonish majority of our leaders who talk and behave as if all is well to have a change of heart.
“There is cause for alarm when corruption runs riot in every sector with scant effort from government to arrest and prosecute its perpetrators.
“Things are not under control when continuously, Nigerians get maimed, kidnapped and killed daily on our roads and even in their homes.
“There is need to restructure our security apparatus and remove saboteurs where necessary so that they can collaborate and perform optimally.
“Disaster is imminent when people die of hunger and the living have to steal or scrounge for food in order to survive.
“Elected officers are elected not to make excuses about problems but to change things for better.
“Away with insensitive aides who furnish the public with lies and innuendoes in order mitigate government failure in the face of the recurring disasters.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about their leaders’ programmes, activities and whereabouts.
“Any country run on corruption and falsehood will crumble under the weight of self-inflicted evil.
“Time for positive change is running out. “Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced”. (Proverbs14:34)
“Be Your Brothers Keepers
The injunction of Jesus to us to love one another must assume fresh relevance among us Nigerians today.
“It must apply to leaders and the led alike. All who are in position of authority however have a higher responsibility because there shall be a verdict of history, a day of reckoning.
“We urge them and all privileged people not to relent in their effort to work for positive transformation in Nigeria.
“Government must upgrade the ongoing “governance by palliatives” to governance that promotes productivity, accountability and which provides essential infrastructure like power supply and jobs for the populace.
“It is better to teach people to fish than to give them fish from time to time, especially because Nigerians are among the most industrious people in the world.
“This would be an effective way to limit the “japa syndrome,” which is the forced exodus of our best brains from our shores to greener pastures.
“We thank a few among our leaders who are clearly doing their best to make a change for better in their various capacities.
“We call on our Justice Development and Peace Commissions, our Caritas, St. Vincent de Paul our church societies, other Charity groups and our faithful in Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province to do more to provide employment and help the poor and indigent among us.
” The mission of charity is an essential part of the work of evangelization and the Church’s mandate.
“The Church and her organs have very limited resources but must continue to bear witness to the mandate of mercy from Jesus which says: “Blessed are the merciful; they shall have mercy shown them.” (Matt. 5:7)
“Reinforcing Pro Life, Marriage and Family Values
We note with dismay the increase in suicide and murders among Nigerians in recent times which demonstrates that the value placed on the sanctity of human life is diminishing.
“This is a recipe for disaster. Likewise, marriages and families are experiencing greater stress today due to economic, social and cultural challenges.
“We reiterate the sanctity and dignity of human life and we call on relevant authorities and religious organizations to promote the preservation of Christian marriage and family values.
“No effort should be spared in equipping families to survive the current onslaught against that institution without which society cannot survive.”
The Bishops then urged all Nigerians that, having given us another year as a nation, “God has good plans for us all to hope in.
” His love does not fail, especially when we obey his commandment of love and live in righteousness.
“God’s word to the Prophet Jeremiah rings true today anew and we must allow His promise to inspire us during this new year.
“Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
