Although Nigeria marks 57th Anniversary of nationhood this week, many people believe that plethora of political and socio-economic challenges and problems currently facing the nation are derivable from blood shedding of innocent souls who were gruesomely murdered at one time or the other in the history of Nigeria.
This, among other Biblical messsages were delivered by the
Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, Michael Olusina Fape in his sermon at the Special Service to mark 57th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria held at Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Ake in Abeokuta on Sunday, saying the shedding of blood of innocent souls is condemnable and their souls are crying for vengeance in the country.
In his 30 minutes message, Fape condemned shortcomings of the past leaders who ruled Nigeria at one time or the other, and those that were ruling at a time when there were blood sheds in the country, describing such leaders as clueless for not being able to find solutions to the nation’s problems.
He said, “We have been seeking the face of God, but have not turned from our wickedness. We have shed mch blood of many innocent souls in this nation. From Dele Giwa to Bola Ige, to Alfred Rewane to Funsho Williams to our own Kudirat Abiola and many more. You can still count on. And th blood of these innocent ones are crying for vengeance. Should we continue in sins and ask for forgiveness? Absolutely no.”
He also noted that the country’s politicians, religious leaders and community leaders as responsible for Nigeria’s “sickness”, saying the country was dire in need of selfless leader, just as he admitted that Nigerians are prayerful, but “we are arrogant. That is why our prayers are not answered”, he added, saying that “Nigerians must humble themselves before God, seek and pray for forgiveness, if God must answer our prayers.”
The Cleric, who also doubles as the Bishop of Remo, however, said that Nigeria Independence calls for celebration having survived civil war, military coups and counter coups and still enjoys 18 years of Democracy.
He said “Many nations went into civil war but never came out successfully, we went through it and by grace of God, here we are today. There have been military coups and counter coups. And eventually, we have come to the period of democratic dispensation. For 17 (18) years unbroken and beyond, our democracy has been intact by grace of God, Halleluyah! Someone says the worst Democracy is better than best Military rule. There have been accusations and counter accusations, but in spite of all, the Lord has kept us together.
“As we are celebrating 57 years of our existence as an Independent nation, I want to tell you my brothers and sisters, Nigeria is sick. There is no doubt about that. Then, when can we actually say a nation is sick and it is in need of healing? A nation is sick when it is confused on which path is to thread giving the enormity of the challenges that are bedeviling it because of the clueless leaders at the helms of affairs whether past or present governments.
“Brethren, Can we say a nation is sick when the leaders know what to do but because of arrogance and selfish interest they have put those are ruling perpetually under their feet to be trampled upon because of the power they exercise. Someone says nothing makes armed robbers different from ordinary person rather than the guns they are using.
“When is a nation sick? Is it a time like this when there is agitation for restructuring right from the South West. Is it a time like this when there is agitation for Republic of Biafra in the South East? Is it a time like this when there is environmental degradation in the South-South?
“Is it a time like this when the minority Christians in the North are not able to exercise their religious rights? Brethren, I want to say Nigeria is sick but God will heal us”, the Cleric concluded.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, who was represented at the Sunday Christian Service by Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor, admitted that “all is not well with Nigeria” but stated that ‘violence is not the best option to resolve those challenges’.
The governor noted that Nigeria remains united despite challenges and therefore appealed to religious leaders to continue to preach unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, just as he expressed hope that Nigeria would remain one and wax stronger as against speculation and agitation for Nigeria break-up.
RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta
