Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja,
John Cardinal Onaiyekan
says Nigeria would overcome
her current challenges if all hands are
on deck to jointly solve the burning
issues of insecurity, ethnic, religious
and political bigotry confronting the
country. Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke
recently in the UK, at the Wilton Park
Conference in a paper presentation
entitled “Fostering Social Cohesion in
Nigeria.”
He painted a grim picture of the
situation of things in the country and
also attempted to proffer solutions.
According to the Emeritus Archbish-
op, Nigeria is at present seriously
grappling with the recurring problem
of insecurity, ethnic and religious
conflict, political tension and per-
secution in their different kinds. He
said many Nigerians have lost faith in
the nation, while some have openly
expressed grave concern that the
Nation is not just dancing but may be
dangling perilously on the brink of
chaos.
He therefore said there was an
urgent need to address the situation
before things get out of hand.
The Prelate noted that the frustra-
tion in Nigeria is so glaring that the
majority of the people think Nigeria
as an entity is a mistake that should
be dismantled and renegotiated
but that the few beneficiaries of the
system believe Nigeria cannot be ne-
gotiated insisting they are satisfy with
the status quo.
According to the Archbishop
Emeritus, and quoting him “I agree
with those who say we never had
the opportunity to decide what kind
of Nation we want in a democratic
and free debate. This is reflected in
the inadequacy of our constitution,
riddled with lacunae, contradictions
and ambiguities.”
Cardinal Onaiyekan enumerated the
problems of Nigeria to include ethnic,
where he said there are unfinished
tribal wars around the concept of
ancestral lands, indigenes and settlers;
religious crises and the long rivalry
between Islam and Christianity for
conversions and territorial domi-
nance which he says has reached a
critical stage.
The persecution of Christians, he
noted is backed up with copious sta-
tistics and evidence that many Chris-
tians sincerely see themselves as being
under various kinds of disadvantage
and neglect because of their faith.
Security he submitted is the greatest
challenge facing the nation, Boko
Haram insurgency in the north east,
Fulani Herdsmen terrorizing villages
in central Nigeria, kidnapping for
ransom and raping of women has
become the norm than the exception.
