Anthony Okogie, a former archbishop of the Catholic diocese
in Lagos, says Nigeria’s problems did not start with the Buhari administration
but they became worse under the current government.
Okogie said this at his 85th birthday thanksgiving mass and
50th episcopal ordination anniversary which was held at the Catholic Church of
Assumption on Wednesday, in Lagos.
The archbishop lamented the killings in the country, saying
it seems there is no end in sight.
“It seems that Nigeria has become a killing field, as insecurity and terror reign from one end to the other, and there seems to be no end in sight at present,” he said.
“It is evident that Nigeria has practically become a failed
state; a country fails when it is no longer able to protect its citizens from
harm and secure their welfare.
“A country fails when, instead of being a harbor of refuge
for its citizens, it turns out to be a conundrum of fire and sorrow that
consumes its citizens.”
He said the country has failed since it can no longer
protect its citizens and give them the assurance that their future is secured.
“A country fails when instead of reassuring its citizens by
actions and policies that the future is secured, it becomes a state most people
are planning to flee to other climes where their governments are truly
functioning,” Okojie said.
“Well it is true that our problems did not start under this
administration, it seems to have worsened economically and politically in these
past six years. Insurgency in the north-east is still ongoing and insecurity
has spread nationwide in spite of the military being deployed everywhere.
“The avalanche of banditry and kidnapping that has
overwhelmed parts of the northwest and central cannot be described as they
stroll casually into schools and cart away tens to hundreds of students and
mysteriously melt into nearby forests or bushes, the entire security apparatus
often seem clueless or helpless.
“The situation in some parts of the south-east also leaves
much to be desired, with the officers mobbed, soldiers butchered, innocent
citizens killed, properties destroyed, people are no longer safe in the land.
Unknown gunmen have become a favourite vocabulary in our mouths.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com