Catholic Bishops to FG: Tackle insecurity with same commitment against Ebola

By Egufe Yafugborhi

THE festering wave of insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria could be curtailed if Government and populace fight the situation with the manner of commitment and collective intervention employed in combating the deadly Ebola Virus Disease

President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama drew this conclusion yesterday while addressing the CBCN Second Plenary at its conference holding in Warri, Delta State.

Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama

Kaigama said the Church is worried at Boko Haram’s rapid spate of threatening sophistication, especially North East of the country, noting that terrorism is expanding rather than abating as reports from Maiduguri and Yola Dioceses of the Catholic church confirmed that thousands of internally displaced people from towns taken over by the insurgents are now taking refuge in different locations as refugees in their own country.

Kaigama, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jos, said the nation must embrace change of mentality and orientation instead multiplying countries out of the present Nigeria in tackling the challenges of infrastructures decay, ethnic and religious intolerance among others bedevilling her people.

“We reassure government of our commitment in collaborating with civil and security operatives”, he stated, adding “With collective good will we could easily catapult our nation to the highest economic/social level ensuring better living standards and mitigating the humiliating poverty many Nigerians suffer in the midst of plenty.”

Chiding Nigerians over greed to amass wealth at all cost, Kiagama said, “We must stop this culture of appropriation, insatiable greed and reckless misuse of our common patrimony among those who manage our resources. We are all guilty and responsible for the situation of our country.”

Stressing the need for mutual love and religious tolerance, the Bishop “request both umbrellas, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI and the Christain Association of Nigeria, CAN, to kindly do all they can to enhance religious harmony in Nigeria. They should avoid trading blames and over reacting on issues in defence of their religious constituencies”

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. John Afareha, chief host at the CBCN urged the country’s leaders to wage war against injustice which ugly head he traced to when politicians failed to keep their electioneering campaigns promises as well as corruption which have given births to several challenges in the country.

Challenging Nigerians to remain faithful and undeterred in the face of various challenges, Afareha appealed to politicians to ensure conformity with democratic norms as 2015 draws near.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, observed on the occasion that the menace Boko Haram was not limited to North of the country as it is provoking mass migration of people to the south with mischievous motives.

Uduaghan while welcoming the Catholic clergy solicited continued prayers from the pulpit for abiding peace and progress of Nigeria, saying with the prayers of the church, the country is sure of overcoming the myriad of problems confront her.

National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor stressed, “If there was any time the church needed to speak with one voice, it is now. When the church speaks with one voice we will be able to unite against corruption, greed and the activities of Boko Haram. The church must set the stage for a united Nigeria.”