NAN-H-53
Osinbajo
Lagos, Oct. 23, 2017 (NAN) Pastor Yomi Kasali, convener of Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference, an NGO, said on Monday that churches in Nigeria, were not doing enough to proffer solutions to the challenges bedeviling the nation.
Kasali, former Director General of the campaign organisation of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, in the 2015 General Elections, made the disclosure to newsmen in Lagos.
He spoke ahead of the conference scheduled for Friday in Lagos, where Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is expected as a guest of honour.
“The Church in Nigeria has not played its role well in addressing most of the challenges faced by Nigerians.
“Our problems in Nigeria are not ethnic or tribal. Our major problem is corruption that has eaten deep into the fabric of the country including the church.
“This administration has been fair in the fight against corruption, but the rot in the system was underestimated.
“There is so much cover-up going on in Nigeria and we cannot continue this way. We must all join to fight it together or lose the fight,’’ he said.
He added that although he was happy with the stride made by the present administration, there was no need for the church to take a position, but to join the fight and take the country to its rightful place.
“I was one of those who worked for the change in Nigeria. I still see a greater Nigeria ahead,’’ Kasali said.
The clergyman said that there was no need for Nigeria to set up an anti-corruption court charged with solely cases of corruption.
“Such a court should have clergymen as members.
“There must be a deterrent as consequences for the fight against corruption to be more productive.
“The name and shame corrupt people initiative should be applied to the letter by the federal government,’’ he said.
According to him, until Nigeria takes care of corruption, nothing will work.
Kasali who spoke further on the conference said it was aimed at proffering solutions to nagging issues currently plaguing the nation.
He said Osinbajo would answer questions from selected Nigerians in issues affecting the nation.
He also said that no less than a 100 pastors are expected at the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that speaks at the event are Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the presiding bishop, TREM Worldwide, and Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, the Director General Institute of National Transformation among others.(NAN)
CHIOM/ERO/EAL
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Ekemini Ladejobi