By Jonathan Ugbal
The leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Olumba Olumba Obu on Saturday called on political leaders to be parents to the masses and not objects of terror in order for peace to reign and prevent a reoccurrence of the recent arson experienced across Nigeria.
Leader Obu in an address presented by the BCS spokesman, Christ Shepherd Edet Archibong said that Nigeria was lavishly blessed for there to be a situation of want which led to the situation.
The looting was preceded by series of protests against police brutality and bad governance with some analysts positing that the shooting of unarmed protesters on October 20, 2020 in Lagos triggered the riots.
“Rulers must not, for any reason, present themselves as objects of terror to the masses but as those chosen and empowered by the Holy Father to see to the well-being of the citizens and thus ensure the equitable utilization of the wealth and resources of the states and nation to cater for their welfare. This being by way of providing job opportunities, ensuring regular payment of salaries, providing basic amenities and infrastructure, good roads, sustainable healthcare delivery and educational facilities and incentives to give the citizens, particularly the youths, a sense of belonging. This will also motivate them to serve their fatherland with all amount of patriotism.”
He admonished the youths to be law abiding and charged the political leadership to trace back their steps.
He said: “Thus while various governments should serve as parents to the masses, especially to the younger generation who constitute the hope of every nation, the youth on their own must be law abiding, realizing that their respective states and nations are their eternal heritage bequeathed them by God. Rather than destroy the labours and works of their fathers and mothers, the youths should positively tender their grievances and think of how to achieve their lofty ideals in a more peaceful and noble manner.
“The ongoing crises rocking Nigeria is a case in point. The agitation and restiveness of the youth is not supposed to be, because the Nigerian nation is lavishly blessed with all it takes in spiritual, human and material resources, to be a global force but wanton greed, avarice, endemic corruption and lust for power and position have led to the mismanagement of the common wealth. The only solution left to the government now is to have a dialogue with the youths in various states of the country.
“It is thus My wish that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the States should endeavour to bring the children that are kept under their care to a roundtable and amicably look into the factors that have led to the prevalent protests that have caused the nation such irreplaceable loss of lives and loss of property.”
In Calabar, the looting lasted over 24 hours from Friday 23rd through Saturday, the 24th day of October, 2020.
On forestalling a future reoccurrence and the richness of the country, Leader Obu averred that: “Nigeria is a nation dearly loved by God and it is only by applying the Spirit of God, which is love, longsuffering, peace, patience and understanding, that the current situation can be brought under control. Let the political office holders, ranging from the President, Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, Members of State Assemblies and the respective public office functionaries of government dialogue with the youth because all citizens of Nigeria and those of other nations, irrespective of social class, tribe, ethnic group, religion or political affiliations, are all children of God.
“Thus integrity, dignity and well-being of all citizens must be guaranteed because the blessings and resources that the Holy Father has bestowed on Nigeria can comfortably cater for all Nigerians including the economies of other countries and must be adequately and commensurably protected. ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil’ (Romans 13:1 & 3). Let him that steals steal no more.”
The Leader who stated that no property of the BCS was attacked, disclosed that amidst the ruins and ashes at the head office of the Nigerian Chronicle laid a book with the image of Leader Obu that was not affected.