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Christian Leaders in Nigeria Appeal for Good Governance to Restore Hope in the Country

John Cardinal Onaiyekan and other members of NIREC during the Fourth Quarter Meeting of the Interreligious Council in Abuja Nigeria. Credit: ACI Africa

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 09 December, 2023 / 1:13 pm (ACI Africa).

Good governance is crucial in restoring hope in Nigeria, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have said.

Speaking during the Fourth Quarter meeting of the Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) on Tuesday, December 5 in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said, “Our nation has faced numerous challenges that have shaken the very core of our unity and stability.”

“From insecurity and violence to political tensions and economic hardships, the Nigerian people have endured strife and extreme difficulties," the president of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) said.

He noted that Nigerians who could not bear with the difficulties in the country had migrated to other nations in search of greener pastures in what he said "is commonly known today in Nigeria as Japa Syndrome."

Against this backdrop, Archbishop Okoh, the overseer of the Christ Holy Church International said, “The solution is not in running away to other countries but in finding ways to restore hope for the citizens in our dear country, Nigeria.”

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“Good governance, therefore, is key as we consider the restoration of hope in Nigeria,” the CAN President said.

He added, “Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources more than many nations of the world but we need to get it right on the management of these resources for the good of all.”

Speaking during the same event, the executive secretary of NIREC, Fr. Conelius Omonokhua expressed concern about the level of youth unemployment in the West African country and called for collaboration at all levels to stem the tide of "this ugly trend.”

 “Among the campaign slogans of the incumbent government is, ‘Renewed Hope’. This renewed hope includes going back to the life of the 1970s where graduates during their youth's service were sure of employment. Their only challenge was which job to choose out of the many job opportunities available to them in the country,” Fr. Omonokhua said.

He continued, “We have invited the European Union, the embassy of the United Kingdom and ECOWAS commission to share with us how this hope could bring about security, honesty, human value, common welfare and common wellbeing. Nigeria needs the collaboration of the neighboring countries to grow into a better nation.” 

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Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.

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