By Eseoghene Emuke
The Primate of the Church of Nigerian (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Nicholas Okoh has said the political class in the country is responsible for the nation’s growing insecurity, calling on the Federal Government to go after sponsors.
However, the church has picked Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba as Primate-elect to take over from Okoh who will retire in March 2020 as its leader.
Speaking at the opening of the Standing Committee meeting of the church held in Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday, Okoh said some privileged persons within the political class were taking advantage of insecurity to defraud some foreign donors.
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The event which had as its theme, “Fight the Good Fight of Faith”, the retiring primate noted that to tamed the insecurity crises in the country, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government must go after their sponsors and bring them to their kneels.
Okoh alleged that those in question were using security situation to defraud international bodies in the name of non-governmental organizations.
The cleric, who also advocated for synergy among the different security agencies in the country, posited that pragmatic steps should be taken to eradicate suspicion among the agencies for the good of the nation.
While urging the federal government to do all it can to free abducted Leah Sharibu and Chibok schoolgirls, added that “posterity will not forgive us if we forget Leah Sharibu, the Chibok girls and many others in the captivity of Book Haram, bandits and others.”
According to him, “While the masses are suffering for no just cause, some privileged few have turned the regrettable situation into business, defrauding international organizations in the name of NGOs; while some others divert public funds and materials meant for IDPs.
“As we commend the Federal Government for the efforts made in the fight against insecurity in the land, we urge that the fight should be directed towards the sponsors of this heinous crime against humanity, no matter who they are. In that way, we may begin to see some permanent positive results.”
While commenting on economy policies of the present administration, Most Rev Okoh said the President Buhari’s government has not made any meaningful progress in diversifying the nation’s economy.
“We wish to further remind this administration that one of the promises made before the 2015 General Elections was the diversification of the nation’s economy, so that we would no longer depend on fossil oil as the main source of revenue.
“The time is far spent now without visible steps in that direction. We must realise that all over the world, concerted effort is being made to find lasting alternative to dependence on fossil oil. Therefore, the earlier we rise and move with the times, the better,” Okoh said.
He regretted that most Nigerian youths were being humiliated and even killed in foreign countries that are less endowed than Nigeria because of unfavourable economy back home.
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The Anglican Primate also renewed the call on government to fix the power sector, saying that past administrations have fed Nigerians with excuses which have become unacceptable.
Okoh added that if Nigeria can guarantee reliable, affordable and constant power supply, it will place the country on the path of fast economic growth and development.
Meanwhile, Most Rev. Ndukuba, who emerged the Primate-elect of the Anglican Communion, will assume office in March 2020 at the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Primate, Okoh.
Ndukuba, before his latest elevation, was the Bishop of Gombe Pankshin Diocese and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Jos.
He is also the Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria.
The Primate-elect was born in September 1959, and ordained a Priest also in September, 1989.
He was consecrated a Bishop in September, 1999; presented as Archbishop in September, 2017, just as his latest election as Primate came in September, 2019.
