THE Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Prof. Emele Mba Uka has lauded the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to pay compensation to the families of the ten members of the National Youth Service Corps who lost their lives in the election violence that erupted in parts of northern Nigeria following the 16 April Presidential elections.

In a statement, the Prelate described the N5 million compensation to each of the families of the slain Corps members as inadequate in view of the fact that the youths were potential Presidents, Governors, National Assembly members, Judges, etc. who could have played their parts in the progress and development of the nation.

He therefore urged President Jonathan to consider paying the N5 million compensation annually for the next ten years.

“In addition,” Most Rev. Prof. Uka added, “the children left behind by the slain Corps members, should be trained by the Federal Government up to university level.  Although there is no amount of money that can adequately compensate for the loss of life, I believe that this is a more appreciable package in memory of the Corps members who lost their lives serving their fatherland.”

The Prelate also commended the Government for setting up the 22-man Committee to probe the violence arising from the April Presidential election in which hundreds of people lost their lives and many others displaced.

He called on the Government to ensure that the White Paper on the Committee’s report was made public and that all those identified directly and indirectly with the mayhem be made to face the law as a deterrent to other acts of violence in Nigeria.