The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, said on Sunday that for more than 60 years, Nigerian leaders have appeared like intoxicated men who struggle to find their way home.
Kukah, in his Easter message provided to the press, urged the Federal Government to develop a strong plan for reversing the situation and leading the country towards national healing.
He mentioned, “Our leaders opted for feasting over fasting. We are now facing the consequences of our past actions. For over 60 years, our leaders have seemed like intoxicated men, staggering, stumbling, and slurring their words as they search for a way out.
“The widespread corruption over the years has had a destructive impact on our nation. The outcome is a state of hangover that has left our nation unconscious.
“Nevertheless, Easter is a time to think about the path not taken. It is an opportunity to see if this time of suffering can lead us to a new beginning. Nigeria can and will be great again. Let's face this challenge together with hope.
As part of efforts to address the current economic challenges and alleviate hunger among the population, the bishop urged the government to urgently take steps to lead the nation toward healing.
These steps should include a deliberate policy of inclusion that will put an end to the unethical practice of nepotism.
He stated, “The government should implement a more transparent and comprehensive recruitment method to foster patriotism and eliminate the negative effects of feudalism and prebendalism.
“We need a clear communication strategy that will inspire and establish timelines for policy outcomes.
“There is a need for clarity regarding the who, what, when, and how of national goals, and who will be responsible for them.
The bishop also mentioned, “Furthermore, the idea of restructuring the security system is an overused cliché that has become contradictory. It is hard to comprehend our current situation with the military being so pervasive.
“It is impossible to explain how we can claim to be in a civilian democracy with the military practically acting like an occupying force spread across all 36 states and Abuja.
“This has significant implications for its professionalism, integrity, and perceived role in safeguarding society. No one other than the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, recently referred to the military as facing the dilemma of what he called 'see finish.' It is now difficult to determine whether the ongoing insecurity is a cause or a result of the military's widespread presence.
” Huge amounts of money continue to be spent with little tangible benefits. Our military's professionalism should not be compromised by the recruitment of untrained and unprofessional groups such as hunters and vigilantes.
Kukah mentioned that this situation is not sustainable because it makes the military susceptible to mockery and the perception of giving up. Dealing with insecurity has now become a business. I believe our security forces can defeat these criminals in a few months. All we hear and see is blaming the top officials. No, this must stop.
The bishop was pleased that President Bola Tinubu recently announced that kidnapping and banditry will now be considered as acts of terrorism.
If that's the case, we need to witness a relentless and determined plan to put an end to this threat with a specific deadline for defeating these terrorists, no matter what it may require,
Kukah urged the President to continue following the path of honesty, take further actions to reduce the excessive costs of governance, and implement more comprehensive plans to achieve both food and physical security across the country.
He stated that simply giving out money through already corrupt systems is insufficient and lowers the respect of citizens.
The cleric argued that there is no need for people to line up to receive aid when the country is not at war.
Give our people back their farms and create a thorough agricultural strategy to restore our country's honor and human dignity,
