…….As Obasanjo chair 11th edition of African Biblical Leadership Initiative

By OLAYINKA LATONA

THE Bible Society of Nigeria BSN, has called on President Bola Tinubu to see the fixing of the nation’s refineries as a national emergency.

The group emphasised that fixing the refineries and making them functional was the best palliative Nigerians wanted to see.

Pastor Samuel Sanusi, General Secretary/CEO, BSN, made the call while addressing journalists on the forthcoming African Biblical Leadership Initiative, ABLI, scheduled for Monday 21-24 October 2024 at the Nigerian Air Force Conference  centre, Abuja with the themed: “Value-Based leadership: model for Africa”.

BSN secretary pointed out the paradox of Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, experiencing one of the highest levels of poverty on the continent.

In his words: “Of all the oil producing countries in Africa, only Libya and Algeria are refining their crude. Others, including our country, Nigeria, sell their crude and buy back refined products. For us in Nigeria, it is unwise, unjust, unpatriotic, and an act of economic sabotage for us to continue to export our crude and buy back refined products when we have refineries.

” These refineries have not refined fuel for over 20 years despite a huge amount being spent on unending turnaround maintenance. Our leaders both present and past should apologize to Nigerians over this injustice and mean their apology by making things work. I also call on Nigerians to ask questions why the refineries are not working and insist that they be made to work. We identify with Nigerians over the current hardship caused by the hike in the pump price of fuel.

Sanusi stated: “If not for selfish interests, this act would not have continued unchecked for so many years. I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to write his name in gold by doing whatever he can to make our refineries work and stop further importation of fuel, which is a major part of the reason why our Naira is weak because of the consistent pressure on the dollar for imports. Let him right the wrong done to Nigerians all these years by not allowing the refineries to work. This is also a major contributory factor to the current high cost of living because the operating environment for businesses is not conducive, making them to pass the rising cost of goods and services.”

On ABLI Sanusi said:”ABLI was birthed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a special session of the African Union Prayer Breakfast by African Heads of States and Governments in 2010. Its aim is to institute qualitative transformation of a nation through value-based leadership informed and inspired by biblical values. It aims to raise a generation of principled leaders with honour, integrity, capacity, and competence.

“African Biblical Leadership Initiative Forum is apolitical and non-denominational and seeks to bring about personal and cultural transformation through leadership that is informed and guided by biblical values.

“The ABLI Conference has been held in 10 different African countries in the past and this time, Nigeria is hosting the 11th edition.

“His Excellency, Chief Dr Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, is the Chairman of the Conference, with Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the Special Guest of Honour. Some of the other distinguished guests are, H.E, Gen. Dr Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, Patron, BSN; H.E, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, and His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Hon. Minister of the FCT as the Host.

“The Youth Assembly session themed, ‘Arise and Shine: Raising a New Generation of Transformational Leaders’, will be addressed by Pastor Poju Oyemade, Founder and Senior Pastor of The Covenant Nation, and Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi, a Social Reformer and Christian Philosopher.

” Delegates from all walks of life within and outside Africa, Europe, America, and Asia are expected at the event, including General Secretaries and CEOs of all African Bible Societies.”