From Victor Seyi, Ilorin
The Diocese of Omu Aran Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion has advised the federal government against victimisation in its ongoing fight against corruption.
Speaking with journalists at the Third Session of the second synod at Omu Aran at the weekend, the Diocesan Bishop of Diocese of Omu Aran Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Philip Adeyemo, said the church was in support of the ongoing war against corruption in the country.
”We support the anti-corruption war of this administration; we agree with the president that if we don’t destroy corruption, it will destroy us in this country. But let there be no victimization and falsehood”, he said.
The clergyman, who said that all the looted money recovered from looters should be published to avoid diversion as it was being speculated, added that the call for death penalty for looters by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union was good but not expedient for Nigeria.
“Thank God, the President has constituted a seven-man presidential advisory committee on war against corruption headed by a renowned and disciplined man, Prof. Itse Sagay, who is working on the best way to handle the matter. In my opinion if any looter releases his or her loot, he or she should be given light punishment and not capital punishment but if anyone fails to release his or her loot, such one should be punished heavily. When there is repentance there should be forgiveness; let’s temper justice with mercy,” he said.
Rt. Rev. Adeyemo, who said majority of Nigerians live in extreme poverty due to prevalent corrupt practices by the leaders, added that corruption was primary reason for wastage and bare-faced theft of public resources, “the main reason why a potentially prosperous country is struggling for survival”.
On the call for fresh National Conference by Northern ex-political office holders under the aegis of the Northern Reawakening Forum, the synod said: “We at the Diocese of Omu Aran feel that there is no need for a fresh National conference on the North-East issue. Everybody in the country is fully aware of the challenges facing the zone, hence the Federal Government should do something tangible and reasonable to reduce their sufferings without any delay.
“We are of the opinion that the report on National Conference which was done by about 500 Nigerians in 2014, who represented us should be looked into by this administration and implement the areas that addressed the grey areas of national development. Nigerians called for the conference therefore, this administration should please do something positive on it for the progress of this nation.
On the government’s efforts to bring the Boko Haram insurgency under control, the synod said: “Kudos to our president for the step taken so far in curbing the activities of the insurgents in the North East. We say well done Mr. President more grease to your elbow.
“We also appreciate the president’s decision on the reinstatement of army officers who were asked to withdraw from service for alleged offences committed under the counter-insurgency operations when enough equipment were not provided for them during the tenure of the last administration.”
Furthermore, the synod added: “We welcome the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to make public details of their assets, which had been declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau. It is commendable; it is leadership by example. The declaration will leave no one in doubt about the commitment of President Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo to govern transparently and be accountable to Nigerians before and after office.
“Therefore, we implore all other political office holders who have not done so to follow suit and declare their assets publicly in support of the anti-corruption drive of this administration.”
The synod also congratulated “Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his victory at the gubernatorial election held on April 11, 2015,the almighty God will work with you and enlarge your coast. We commend our action governor and leader, Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki on the infrastructural development embarked upon in Ilorin metropolis which has resulted in access roads in most parts of the state capital. We shall be grateful if this could be extended to the rural areas to enhance adequate food production and transportation.
“We want them to do something about salaries and allowances of our civil servants, local government workers and teachers in the state. Kwara State workers are among the least paid in the country. This administration should also create jobs for our youth who are roaming about the streets in major towns of the state.
On the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last elections, the synod said: “We appreciate the doggedness of Alhaji Bola TInubu in the evolution of the All Progressive Congress into the governing party and his support for the emergence of candidate Muhammadu Buhari as president who won the March 28, 2015 presidential election. We want the Asiwaju not to rest on his oars and do something to stop unnecessary attacks on his successor which many of us feel that those behind are doing it to get your sympathy for political reasons. As an elder statesmen, and Asiwaju, please take note for sure the attacks are on your personality. Please we want the leader of APC to do something about many salaries arrears in some APC states in the South-West. Please sir, your intervention to proffer solution in this matter is highly solicited.”
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