By Tony Ediki, Enugu
THE Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Ola Makinde, declared yesterday that nobody could islamize Nigeria warning the dreaded islamist sect, Boko Haram to drop the idea and stop wasting innocent lives.
THE Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Ola Makinde, declared yesterday that nobody could islamize Nigeria warning the dreaded islamist sect, Boko Haram to drop the idea and stop wasting innocent lives.
He, however, called for the convocation of a National Conference to enable Nigerians from all parts of the country sit down and determine the best way forward for the nation since, according to him, the National Assembly had no capacity to find solution to some critical issues in the country.
Makinde spoke at Mpu community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu during the funeral service of his Royal Highness, Igwe Mathias Ekweremadu, father of Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.
The Methodist Prelate said he was unhappy when he heard a political leader describing Boko Haram members as people fighting for their right despite incessant destruction of lives and properties by the group.
Insisting that Boko Haram members were not fighting for their rights, Makinde noted that even when the sect declared war against Western education, they still make use of modern gadgets like GSM handsets and internet which are products of Western civilization.
He said: “I feel angry when a leader said that Boko Haram is fighting for social justice.”
How can they be fighting for social justice when they are going about killing people, bombing churches and schools?
They said they want to IslamiseNigeriabut I tell you nobody can ChristianiseNigeria; nobody can IslamiseNigeria.”
According to him, “MASSOB is fighting for justice because their people were killed during the civil war. The OPC is fighting for justice because an election was conducted in 1993 and you denied the winner his mandate.
Niger Delta Militants are fighting for justice because the natural resources deposited in their area by God, is being denied them and used to develop the rest of the country while neglecting Niger Delta. But what is Boko Haram fighting for?”
“Boko Haram claims Western education is evil and they are using telephone, they are using Email.
“Boko Haram claims Western education is evil and they are using telephone, they are using Email.
This is a deceit,” he added.
Lamenting the poor state of affairs in the country especially the lack of infrastructure and high corruption among public office holders, the Methodist Prelate observed that Nigeria’s prisons were no longer reformatory centers, saying 20 percent of the nation’s politicians were potential prisoners.
”If there is no electricity, and you blame Jonathan; where are the lawmakers? Where are the Governors? Go and investigate the importation of generating sets. If you ban importation of generating sets, there will be electricity supply in the country.”
”Where are the Governors, lawmakers, Council chairmaen and councillors when abject poverty is ravaging the land? Where are they?,” Makinde asked repeatedly as the congregation remained quiet.
”Where are the Governors, lawmakers, Council chairmaen and councillors when abject poverty is ravaging the land? Where are they?,” Makinde asked repeatedly as the congregation remained quiet.
He further decried the pitiable situation of roads in the country saying,”Abuja-Lokoja road is there killing more people than plane crash since 20 years and has not been dualised. The only specialist hospital we have in Abuja is a glorified clinic.”
Turning to the Senate President, David Mark, the Primate asked him if indeed, the senate he is leading is actually performing its oversight function for the interest of the nation, even though he commended the senate for the stability in the national assembly.
”David Mark, what of the oversight function of the senate, are you people doing it? Where are the lawmakers? Where are the Governors? Where are the sponsors of the Boko Haram?,”
Also speaking at the occasion, the Senate President, David Mark noted that much as the leaders are to blame when things are going wrong, religious leaders have more challenges than them because their
responsibilty was to make sure that they made heaven.
responsibilty was to make sure that they made heaven.
President Goodluck Jonathan, whose speech was read by his Vice, Namadi Sambo who represented him , said he was full of grief and sadness when he received the news of the native ruler. The president said Igwe Ekweremadu would be remembered for his “selfless service to humanity; his sense of justice, equity and fairness which stood him out as a leader.”
Present at the event were wife of the president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, Senate President, David Mark, members of the lower and upper chambers of the national assembly and many Governors, traditional rulers and the clergy.
