By Felix Khanoba
A prominent religious leader in Nigeria, Dr. John Yusuf Suberu, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent pro-active actions that will address the nation’s security challenges.
Delivering a sermon to mark his birthday in Abuja on Tuesday, Suberu noted that though Nigeria is blessed with vast human and natural resources, leadership has remained a major bane of the country since return to democracy in 1999.
The founder of Touch for Recovery Outreach International and Dr. JS Yusuf Foundation, condemned the regular wanton destruction of lives and properties in the country.
While decrying the worsening poverty level occasioned by bad economy in the country, Dr Suberu lamented that insecurity has continued to hold sway in Nigeria because the government had failed to embark on vulnerability assessment to check areas of possible threats to the people.
According to the renowned clergyman, Nigerians are apprehensive over looming insecurity around them, even as he assured that adequate security arrangements had been made for the staging of an epic drama.
“It is the government that has the responsibility to provide security for its people, that is their core duty, to provide security for lives and property. They are trying but they must boost the confidence of Nigerians in the country’s security architecture.
“But we are all Nigerians, the government has not gotten it right. They are not doing enough. They need to do more in the area of security.
“Nigerians right now live and work in insecurity. That is the general definition of security in the country right now. It is an insecure country.
“As a pastor what I do is to pray. It’s the prayer that is keeping us alive,” he said.
He added that he decided to mark his birthday with the less privileged as his little way of giving back to the society.
“This gathering is to celebrate my birthday and give alms to the needy like we do any other day but this year, it calls for sober reflection on the unbearable condition that Nigerians go through on daily basis.
‘’I know how expensive things are in the market, I wish I can reach out to everyone in need to show how concerned I am but I pray for you and Nigeria daily for it to be better and everyone will have a life, ” he said.
On the agitations for the breakup of the country in some quarters, the respected clergyman called on those calling for the separation of Nigeria to have rethink, saying it is better for Nigeria to remain as one.
