The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and Archbishop, Metropolitan, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh has warned President Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council to tackle the Boko Haram question decisively and at once as it has the tendency to disintegrate the country unexpectedly.
He gave the word of caution yesterday in Awka at the opening remarks of the on-going meeting of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria at St Faith Cathedral church Awka.
He said the bombings, killings and the multiple physical and psychological assaults on citizens especially the Christians by the group were akin to the ugly pre-1967 Nigerian Civil war in the country.
The Primate therefore called for a holistic Federal Government effort in stamping out the ugly acts of the murderous group. He noted that one of the quickest means of tackling the group is for them and their sponsors to have a rethink and ponder on the enormity of its calamity already visited on the citizens.
Hear him, “we call on Boko Haram, their sponsors and admirers to have a rethink, in fact all of us have a lot to lose in the event of a break up of the country, if pushed too hard”.
Thr Archbishop used the occasion to remember the efforts and good works of the late publisher of the Guardian Newspapers, Dr Alex Ibru, who he described as “a great man, a selfless man dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. He believed in achieving an impeccable standard in all his dealings. We remember him, we pray for his wife, Mrs Maiden Alex Ibru and their children for God’s protection and sustenance. We pray for the Foundation and the Guardian Newspapers that they may continue to make progress as good legacies of this great man…”
Appraising the last year’s Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa church Madalla, and other such attacks on Christians at Gombe, Maiduguri and Adamawa, the Anglican Primate noted that a situation where Christians were brazenly killed and their properties looted was no longer acceptable.
He described the unity of Nigeria as non – negotiable, hence must stand on the attributes of justice, mutual accommodation of one another, equality, tolerance as wall as security of lives and property.
He encouraged Christians to be prepared always to defend themselves instead of running away from the enemy and to stop running from place to place. Okoh admonished all Diocesan boards, archdeaconry boards, parish councils and church committees to provide a robust security arrangement for worshippers.
Despite the measure, he charged the FG and State to intensify efforts to maintain security of lives and properties in the countrty and thanked the Anambra State government for making their stay and meeting in Awka, a success.
He prayed for the nation and President Jonathan and for God to help our leaders in all right moves.
