By Efa Sunday and Nsa David
Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has charged Nigerians to abide by the principles taught by Jesus Christ as a panacea to ensure the country grows.
Mr. Osinbajo stated this, Tuesday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital during an interaction with the Christian community where he also bemoaned the incessant killings bedeviling the country and maintained the solution to the myriads of challenges lie in the church.
“The principles that Christ has taught us, as written in His word are what can make any nation great. These principles include integrity, hard work, innovation, rule of law and payment of taxes. No nation on the surface of the earth can escape the principles of the gospel of Jesus,” Osinbajo said.
On the solution to the problems faced in the country, he averred that: “I am convinced that no matter the problems confronting the nation, you and I are the solution. The church is the pathfinder, the pillar and the ground of truth. All the challenges of the nation are waiting on the revealing of the church.”
While responding to certain concerns raised by the Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in the state, Pastor Lawrence Ekwok, Osinbajo described killings in all forms as, “evil, unacceptable, wrong and should not be tolerated.”
On farmers – herders clashes, he averred that: “Ranching is the only option the federal government has opted for to solve the farmers-herders clash across the country, while the federal government cannot say categorically when the only survivor of the Dapchi adopted girls, Leah Sharibu will return because of the long process of negotiating with the factionalized Boko Haram sect.”
Ekwok had asked: “When will the killings in Nigeria stop? What is the assurance that 2019 election will be free, fair and credible? Why is the church in Nigeria not being carried along in governance? Is Leah Sharibu alive?, What is the Federal Government doing to restore absolute peace and calmness between the Ukelle and Uzzi communities?”
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade in his remarks called the attention of the federal government to the social tension in Cross River due to the farmers – herders clash across the nation and sued for the protection of their homes and farmlands.
“Our country is going through a very tough time. The killing is getting to the extreme. It is creating social tension, which is why this town hall meeting is important. The essence of this is to sit down and rethink on how to move the country forward. The state also has some fears because we are a border state with Benue and the Christians feel strongly the need to protect their houses and farmlands,” Ayade said.
The state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria had earlier dissociated itself from the event organized by the Niger Delta affairs minister, Pastor Usani Usani while journalists were also barred from recording the event.
Ayade’s deputy, Professor Ivara Esu; the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Honorable John Lebo (PDP Abi); the chairman, governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and heads of several churches as well as security agencies were in attendance.
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