Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has described Nigeria as a nation passing through a turbulent phase.
He also described the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, in Borno State and the government’s inability to rescue them as a huge and massive assault on the image of the country.
Amaechi decried the country’s leaders’ disregard for the rule of law and reckless disposition to the mandate and calling of their offices.
The NGF chairman spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Tuesday, while declaring open the 44th/9th Biennial Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria at the Wesley Methodist Church, with the theme of the conference as ‘Let My People Move Forward’.
Gov. Amaechi noted that issues relating to the disregard to the rule of law and instability experienced in Nigeria could be traceable to decline in righteousness.
“This country at this time is passing through a very turbulent time and here we are, Port Harcourt in Rivers State happens to be one of the places chosen wittingly or unwittingly for some of these acts that exhibit reduction in righteousness and outright show of man’s impunity to another”, he said.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nabbs Imegwu, Amaechi stressed the need for change in the country and added that only change would bring the much needed development to Nigeria.
Calling on the church to stand firm and lead the resurrection of righteousness, Amaechi said, “I am thrilled about the fact that the general sentiment is about making a change. Change is real; change brings about development; change brings about progress.
“If you find yourself doing the same thing the same way over and over again over a period of time and getting the same result and you insist of doing the same thing the same way, then you are not interested in change; you are not interested in progress. You have to change your method for the better”.
On the abducted Chibok girls, Amaechi added, “Where we are today, the issue of the Chibok girls is huge and very massive assault and confrontation on the image of this country, on the internal peace of this country and the secular nature provided by our constitution.
“We have become a global flashpoint for the wrong reason. Countries and nations get reckoning internationally for positive things. Lately, the frequency of mentioning (about Nigeria) in the media like the CNN has never been so prominent; but prominence over the nastiness of all the things you can imagine. It is a national malaise and we should look at it that way”.
Similarly, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Uche, who spoke earlier, said the country was going through harrowing experiences, adding that Nigerians need to come closer to God.
The cleric, who observed the presence of social and political problems in Nigeria, maintained that the situation had resulted in instability, insecurity and insurgency.
“Brethren, it is time to return to God with genuine change of heart. Our situation has not gone beyond redemption. We only need to gather at various places of worship and pray to God with genuine hearts.
“There is palpable fear in the land and the reason is not farfetched. Righteousness is lacking and people treat fellow human beings with impunity”, Uche said.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate