2011: Clerics call for prayers for Nigeria

In separate messages to herald the year 2011, the religious leaders urged Nigerians to be obedient to constituted authorities and pray for the country’s leaders. The Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, urged Nigerians not to lose hope but pray for the recovery of the economy and for successful elections in […]

In separate messages to herald the year 2011, the religious leaders urged Nigerians to be obedient to constituted authorities and pray for the country’s leaders.

The Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, urged Nigerians not to lose hope but pray for the recovery of the economy and for successful elections in 2011.

“As we prepare to enter 2011, the beginning of another decade, I call on every Nigerian to pray for our country, especially now that we are preparing for the general elections.

“I, therefore, urge all Nigerians to always pray to God and not lose hope because the worst thing that can happen to any person or nation is not to have hope,’’ Okonkwo said.

He appealed to politicians aspiring for public offices to play by the rules and not see the forthcoming elections as a do-or-die affair, stressing that Nigerians deserved credible leaders capable of delivering the dividends of democracy.

The cleric urged politicians to desist from acts and utterances capable of overheating the polity thereby creating unnecessary tension.

“The recent acts of terror and vandalism in Jos, Yenagoa, Maiduguri were totally uncalled for and as a church, we totally condemn them.

“I call on the government to deal decisively with all those found culpable and ensure that they are brought to book,’’ Okonkwo said.

The cleric tasked security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities and prevent a recurrence of violence, stressing “any nation inundated with violence cannot develop.”

In his message, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, declared 2011 a decisive year.

He charged the government to be committed to laying a solid foundation for credible elections and urged the citizens to be tolerant and vigilant in order to advance the country.

Ademowo urged political parties to imbibe the culture of intra-party democracy, adding that the era of imposing unwanted and unpopular candidates on the people was over.

He advised the government to evolve new measures to deal with corruption, which he said had plagued the nation since independence.

“All stakeholders should move past complaints and sermons and act collectively to save the country from crumbling under the weight of economic crime and corruption.

“The judiciary must be all out to dispense justice and the national assembly should repeal all outdated laws and establish special courts to fight corruption”, he said.

Ademowo called on all tiers of government to declare a state of emergency in healthcare, power, security, education, infrastructure and the employment sector. (NAN)