Clerics to Nigerians: Be agents of desired societal change

Revered clergies have counselled Nigerians especially Christians to be deliberate agents of the much-desired change in the country.

Speaking at the ninth Saint Moses Orimolade Memorial Colloquium organised by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on Saturday, clerics averred that political structures need not be set against platforms of religion where ideally, required virtues of leadership are to be inculcated to engender a better society.

The Keynote Speaker, Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who spoke to the theme of the colloquium-“Rebuilding Nigeria: Faith, Values And Ethical Leadership For National Transformation”, harped on the call for a united front amongst Christians in order to effect a change in the system.

Addressing the social milieu in the nation, the cleric berated the structural defects that pervades the country’s administrative system, where many efforts have been made in times past to patch-up rather than holistically tackled the issues

He posited that to rebuild the country and pave way for national transformation, basic structural streamlining needs take place, while citing the fact that the nation’s problem is not lack of human and material resources.

“We need to rebuild the structures of our nation. Our numerous administrative structures need to be streamlined for greater efficiency. Among areas of major concerns are – review of the way we choose our leaders; we can make laws such that political office is less attractive for the greedy; what about laws and regulations to promote ethical government?

Can we reduce or eliminate completely the financial discretion on public funds? Any immunity must be for the common good, not to shield thieves.

“And we must address the tyranny of political parties, making provisions if possible for independent candidates. There are enough competent and experienced Nigerians to carry out the necessary administrative reforms to do this.”

On how best to rebuild and ensure the desired transformation the cleric said, “Rebuilding a republic for the transformation of the nation will require that we revisit its body and soul.

“The body of the nation has to do with the structures of governance, what kind of political system we want, presidential or back to parliamentary.

“Do we have a federation or a confederation? How do we ensure an effective separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary?

“The national security architecture, military, police, and other security agencies, are seen to be unable to carry out their assigned duties well. Political parties, elections and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are areas of major concern. All these are technical and administrative.

“The soul of the nation, is less tangible but most important. These are issues of moral behavior, ethical norms, role of religion and its leaders, freedom of belief and practice. We also have to distinguish between religion and godliness. There is ethics and morality, values and faith. Along these lines, we should be able to seek a common guiding spirit for the nation under God.”

Onaiyekan said what is being practiced in the country as politics is totally different. He described Nigeria’s politics as a struggle to grab power for personal interests and control of public resources, regretting that this is why it has become a do or die battle for victory by all means.

“This kind of politics neither serves the people nor gives glory to God. No true Christian should be found involved in such an enterprise.

“Nigerian Christians should stop grumbling and complaining about how badly the nation is being ruled. Rather, they should roll up their sleeves, organise themselves in political parties with good ideas of humble service and present themselves for public office….”

Earlier in his address the ESOCS Baba Aladura, His Eminence (Dr.) David Bob-Manuel, described Nigeria as the largest black population in the world with amazing natural resources and human capital, noted that it has been bedeviled with economic hardship, injustice, maladministration, corruption and all social vices.

He noted that the country’s values and ethos have been thrown into the dustbin, just as leadership positions are treated as “I have arrived finally.”

“Without gainsaying, it is the failure of the Christians to take their rightful position in building and transforming Nigeria that has caused this great country to have witnessed all forms of evil devices.

“Christian communities have a great role to play in rebuilding our nation. The first condition is our faith. The second factor prevalent in rebuilding any nation is Christian values and ethical principles.

“The solution is not merely in desperation to take over government but the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to be a true leader.”

Panellists took turns to expatiate the keynote speech delivered by Cardinal Onaiyekan, Elder (Dr.) Harold Demuren the ESOCS Deputy Baba Aladura gave a trajectory of integrity.

“The Church must clean its house, Cherubim and Seraphim as founded by Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase is known for integrity, back then when they needed accountants they come to the seraphs because of the track record of accountability and credibility.

“All Christians must obey God’s commandment of honesty and integrity, through which we can revive everything. We must preach it to our children’s children, anywhere we go they must see it in us.

“To change Nigeria the change must start with us. If we are bad in the church then the society will be bad. Nigeria must change and Nigeria will change and we must be the change that we desire.

Her Grace, Iya Aladura General Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye founder, New Seraph one of the panellists said that to rebuild and transform Nigeria, “It starts with me and you not just pointing accusing fingers to others.

“It is foundational. We need to go back to the foundation that is the homes. If we can get it right, then the Church and the nation will get it right, too.

“Church should encourage and educate members to participate in politics, to get registered, get their PVC and vote their choice candidates into positions.”

In his reactions to the keynote speech, Reverend Dr. Taye Ayo-Jimoh President, Kwara Baptist Conference added that, “every Nigerian, should believe in this project called Nigeria, it is very important, I should see myself as a Nigerian first before being a Christian.

“We should not allow religion to divide us. The water we drink does not divide us, the food we eat, sports does not divide us, even death does not divide us. We will all die, so why should we divide ourselves based on religion?

“We should be careful as Nigerians to face this project Nigeria and be committed to it. It is important that each Nigerian should get involved and how do we get involved?

“By being a change agent, what you want to see in Nigeria do it in your places of work, your churches, in your family take care of people, be a responsible citizen.

“Also pray for this country, our leaders need our prayers, let’s make our leaders accountable, our leader must give account to us how things are going and while we pray and support them, they should let us know what is happening. It is important they should give account to us.

“Democracy will thrive when all of us cooperate together, Nigeria can be rebuilt and Nigeria will be renewed and things will work better again.”

Another panellist Dr. Elizabeth Akinadewo the National Chairperson Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) however, notes that “change starts from me, from us, then our society will change, mothers are failing in their responsibility, when you train your children in the way of the Lord it will change the nation.”