- Adedokun urges Nigerians not to give up on economy
By Temitope Ojo
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and other individuals throwing their weight behind the sale of national assets to think twice.
He warned that taking such a step to resuscitate the economy at this period would jeopardise the future of Nigerians. Instead, he advised that others options be considered in salvaging the economy.
A statement Martins issued through his Director of Social Communications, Gabriel Osu, said: “We have seen from time past that selling off our national assets has not yielded much dividend. Indeed, on the contrary, it has been mission in futility.
“Take the case of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for instance, we are all witnesses to the fact that the supply of electricity has not improved despite the fact that it has long been sold to private individuals.
“We also know what has become of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and a grand national monument that was once the Nigerian Airways.
“Even then, why should the government toy with the idea of selling off a profit-making organisation like the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG)? Something is not right somewhere.”
Don’t give up on economy
Still on the economy, another cleric appealed to militants in the South South to stop the bombing of oil installations.
Samson Adedokun, pastor of New Dawn Baptist Church, Lagos expressed optimism that despite the hard times and bombing of oil installations, Nigeria will not collapse.
He encouraged citizens at home and in the Diaspora not to lose hope but be courageous.
“Our message to Nigerians is that they should not give up hope on the country. It will survive because God is on our side,” he said.
Church leaders contribute to economic woes
“We want to say to the church in Nigeria that, as Christians, it is time to take a new direction. We need to reflect on the contributions the church has made to the problems in Nigeria.”
Adedokun charged church leaders to reflect on how they have contributed to the economic woes of the country where politicians donate stolen public funds for church buildings and thanksgiving.
“All the donations we collect from politicians that we have failed to ask for the source, and money that should have been used to fix the country. We as a church, we need to repent of that.
“We need to confess to Nigerians that the church will not encourage corruption. We ask government officials to donate money we cannot account for. We must begin to stand in Nigeria for things that we can defend before God.”
He explained that the dedication of a thanksgiving service to the people of the South South was to appreciate the role of minority groups as part of the larger Nigeria, and appealed to militants to stop the bombing of oil facilities.
“It is hurting them as much as it also hurts Nigerians in general. We appreciate love and pray that God will assuage their feelings and wounds because they have been injured, and no one should take that for granted.”
Lay down arms, look unto God
Adedokun counselled Niger Delta militants to look unto God the Creator and end the bombings so that Nigeria can find hope again.
He stressed that after 56 years of independence, Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora appreciate the value the South South has added to the nation.
He said the people of the South South should show concern and speak to themselves to end the bombings.
“It is deliberate and we like to remind the people of the South South that they add value to us and that we appreciate them. We like to emphasise that every region has something to give to Nigeria.
“We have to focus on the South South people to speak to themselves and stop the bombing of pipelines and stop the destruction of oil pipelines because it is destroying their own environment.”
Adedokun urged Nigerians not to give up hope as the economy will soon bounce out of recession, saying the country will not collapse as God is on its side.
The service featured a rendition of Christian songs and prayers in the dialects of the six major tribes in the Niger Delta to the admiration of the congregation.
There was also a rendition of the national anthem, parade by the Urhobo, Efik, Ijaw, Ogoni, Ibibio, and Ilaje tribes by brethren from different house fellowships of the church.
Adedokun explained that this was to give recognition to minority ethnic groups in the South South, boost their morale, and encourage militants to lay down their arms.
