The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, CLCN, last Sunday called for caution over alleged plans by the Nigerian government to integrate the repentant Boko Haram and other bandits into the Nigerian Army and other security outfits. CLCN stated this in its resolution issued at the end of its 146th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from Friday, September 24 to Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Calabar, Archdiocese of Calabar, Cross River State. Themed ‘The rising challenges of insecurity in Nigeria; The role of the Laity’ the Laity leaders condemned the incessant attacks and abduction of school children and the recent invasion of NDA College, Kaduna in Kaduna State After extensive deliberations over the state of the nation, CLCN resolved: “Nigeria government should be prudent and open new avenues for improvement of national economy in order to salvage the greater percentage of the Nigerian masses from abject poverty.
“The incessant attacks and abduction of our school children and the recent invasion of NDA College Kaduna, pose serious threat to our democracy and our National co-existence. Nigeria government must not give sleep to its eyes until those terrorizing our nation are rooted out. “We call on the Nigerian government to avoid integrating the repentant Boko-Haram and other bandits into the Nigerian Army and other security outfits. “Insecurity in Nigeria can be surmounted through sincere dialogue, equity, justice, fairness and implementation of societal oriented policies and programmes. “We strongly condemn open grazing and recommend ranching as the best alternative.” The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria resolution signed by Sir Thomas Folu Adekoya and Hon. (Sir) Henry H. Yunkwap, National President and National Secretary-General, CLCN also urged the Catholic lay faithful to participate actively in state and national politics and uphold family values to enhance happier relationships as well as protect and guide the children aright.
The resolution further read, “The lay people as a community of faithful on earth, should be conscious on the mission of Christ and also the temporal affairs of the society by participating in decision making in the Church and society through active involvement in state and national politics. “The family values and dignity should be up held by our commitment to our marital promises, nurturing, caring and education of our children as first teachers of faith and as a domestic Church. “Lay faithful are encouraged to support the likes of the Kukah Foundation, JDPC etc. in fighting human right abuses and electoral malpractice in our dear nation.
