Nsukka—The Rt. Rev Aloysius Agbo, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nsukka, Enugu State, has urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders in order to sustain peace and unity in 2010.

Agbo told newsmen in Nsukka on Sunday that God has special love for Nigeria, in spite of the fact that its leaders had abandoned Him in search of material wealth.

“My New Year message to Nigerians is for them to have hope in God in spite of political and economic shortcomings,’’ he said.

Agbo said Nigerian leaders needed prayer to be on the right track, adding that the people should pray for President Umaru Yar’Adua’s speedy recovery, rather than be concerned about who would replace him.
“The political class should wake up to their responsibilities as well as know that they are placed in their various positions by God. My prayer is that Yar’Adua should quickly recover, so as to continue with his constitutional duties,” he said.

On the recent attempt by Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up an American airliner, the bishop described the development as unfortunate but stressed that it was Abdulmutallab’s personal decision and not that of Nigerians.

Abdulmutallab acted on his own and his actions should not be attributed or seen as a collective responsibility of the country, Agbo said.

“He has reached the age of reasoning and as such should take responsibility for his actions,” he said.
Agbo, however, advised wealthy people to inculcate discipline and the fear of God in their children before allowing them to travel abroad.