The problem of Nigeria has been attributed to the collective failure of all Nigerians to do the least that is within their means and capacity.
This was the view canvassed by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Amichi, Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor, while preaching at the freedom prayer breakfast to mark the 60th Independence anniversary of Nigeria.
In a sermon at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Amichi, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Bishop Ikeakor painted a clear picture of the ongoing rot and decay in the nation, stating that all Nigerians in all facets of life are responsible.
Bishop Ikeakor captured the problems of Nigeria to include collective sinfulness and failures, running down the country with the words of the mouth and praying against the nation and the leaders instead of praying for them.
“God said you are the problem. I gave you a nation to bless but you keep on cursing it. I gave you leaders to pray for you pray against them. I gave you pulpits to teach the people righteousness but you teach them covetousness. All of you from the top to the smallest person in this country are the problem. Our politicians are wicked. They travel our roads with their sirens, some fly in their private aircrafts to land in their backyards. Our leaders have graduated from insensitivity to wickedness.”
Bishop Ikeakor lamented the insensitivity of leaders towards the people they are leading especially in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic where leaders abandoned the welfare and service of to the people to steal our collective wealth.
“Covid-19 has shown that people are not just living under poverty but they are swimming in the ocean of poverty. A lot of money was voted to fight covid -19 but the money was used to make emergency millionaires.”
He did not spare the professionals in various fields of endeavour whose failures exert serious negative impact in the general outcome of things.
“Look at our judiciary. How did our judges become honourable justice, they are beyond injustice and corruption. But can anybody convince all of us the judicial righteousness in what happened in Imo State recently. Who among these Judges that spoke at the Supreme Court can stand before God to say our judgement was just and righteous?”
Bishop Ikeakor further said that Christians in Nigeria are like Prophet Isaiah who declared woe to the nations but never looked at himself.
“We are quick to apportion blames to others without looking at our contributions. How can I bless you in a land you delight in cursing? To the professionals, why do private hospitals thrive but public hospitals are collapsing? Some of you doctors who use your official time for private practice, are you not a thief?”
“The drugs bought for our hospitals where are they. The President passes the budget and then people share this money and turn around to blame the President. You steal public funds and come back to the church we Knight you, the traditional rulers give you titles and the people will clap for you, yet we all turn around to blame the president and governors. Nigeria is destroyed by all of us. Classroom teacher how do you teach? Do you go to school? Is your lesson notes up to date?”
Bishop Ikeakor challenged leaders at all levels to concentrate on projects and programmes that will deeply impact on the living standards of the people instead of handing peanuts in the name of poverty alleviation.
“Our leaders should stop distributing this 10,000 naira thing they are doing in the name of poverty alleviation. Give us steady power supply and we shall find our way.”
He encouraged all Nigerians to remain positive and optimistic trusting that Nigeria will rise again to her God ordained greatness. He lead the people in fervent prayers for the restoration of Nigeria and personal lives.
0
0
