Kelvin Obambon|10 July 2018
The arch-bishop of Anglican Diocese of Calabar, Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye says Nigeria is sick, deeply sick due to contemporary challenges confronting the country NegroidHaven can report authoritatively.
The Man of God said this yesterday during the 2018 synod press briefing held at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity Anglican Communion, Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Rev. Adeleye, who is also the state chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria, said the nation is being destroyed by political and social corruption, terrorism, insecurity, herdsmen menace, tribalism, bad leadership, poverty, non functional economy, witch-hunting, demise of democracy, wicked negligence and abandonment of youth and lots more.
He however said the war against corruption is rather pretentious and that it has no regard for the rule of law.
''Nigeria is sick, deeply sick. Nigeria has derailed. Nigeria is failing as a nation, if not failed already. The rail on which the foundation of Nigeria was laid is rusted under our feet. We left the path our founders laid for us. We cannot now say that what we have is what Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe etc fought for.
''The nation is being destroyed through corruption —both social and political. Unfortunately the battle against corruption in Nigeria is purely pretentious, selective, vindictive, in some cases overblown, displaying hatred, antagonistic, desperate and guerrila style, defying all known rule of law'', Rev. Adeleye said.
On what could be the possible solutions to the enormous ills plaguing the country, the clergyman identified the adoption of federalism and prayers for the country, saying, ''Until and unless we begin a federal system of government in Nigeria, we may, unfortunately, continue to suffer in the ways we are suffering now.''
He explained that creation of state police, financial autonomy, resource control, supremacy of the constitution, the absence of state religion among others are essential ingredients of a federal system of government.
''Power has to devolve to the federating states. The centre in Nigeria is too, too powerful. The power has to be divided between the national government and other government units. In a larger sense, the power is to be divided between our federal, state and local governments.
''Each state or even local government should have its own police. This is done all over the world where we have true federalism. What we have in Nigeria now is purely unitary government police system.
''There must be financial autonomy based on different states and local governments' capabilities. Each federating state can contribute an agreed percentage to the centre, but generally take responsibility over her finances. State should 'own' the resources in their areas. There should be no state religion; not even a resemblance or allusion of such.
''Nigerians should pray more than ever before. Prayer changes things. Prayer can deliver us from this grip of suffering we are going through now. The hearts of the kings are in God's hands", he concluded.
Kelvin Obambon
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