By Daniel Tyokua
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria ,CBCN, has urged Nigerians not to be detered by the current situation of things in the country but to keep hope in God.
President of the conference, Augustine Akubeze in his message on the occasion of the 60th Independence day of Nigeria, yesterday outlined major challenges facing the country after 60 years of self governance.
He said there must be collective desire to build the country, than the selective appointments that do not reflect the ethnic and religious diversity of Nigeria, describing it as a disservice to the nation.
The president who is also the Archbishop of Benin city, said: “any serious Government would want every part of the nation to know that they are part of the stakeholders in decision making in the country.
“Nigerians are not asking for too much, they are just asking for justice, fairness in appointments of people to federal offices”
He explained that the present situation people were going through did not speak well of a nation celebrating 60th anniversary.
“We still call on Nigerians to be hopeful. One may wonder what could be the source of this hope? The source of our hope is in God who never fail us, but those who put their hope and trust in God will always be delivered” he said.
Akubeze called on Nigerians to continue to pray for a transformation of Nigeria in all spheres of life.
His words: “Those who put their trust in God are never disappointed. We call on all Nigerians to trust in God. Let us continue to pray for a transformation from within, from ourselves.
“Each one of us must learn to avoid every form of corruption, indiscipline, praising of corrupt leaders or giving of awards to those who have bankrupt Nigeria.We must stop the praise-singing of politicians who have failed us” he said.
On state of the nation, the president said it was difficult to celebrate Nigeria at 60 because many people can not afford to eat.
“How can we celebrate when we watch daily, the killings of Nigerias by the insurgents? How can we celebrate when Boko Haram is still holding some of the Chibok girls, and Leah Sharibu who still being held captive for over three years because she refuses to denounce Christ?
“How can we celebrate when COVID-19 has crippled an already poor Nigerian economy” he said.
