As Nigeria marked its 19th uninterrupted Democracy Day, president of New Dimension Seminary, Bishop Ochei Innocent has bemoaned the incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen, saying the country is not united.
Innocent, who lamented that there was no peace in the country following the onslaught by Fulani herders, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee affairs of the National Orientation Agency instead of the petroleum ministry.
The president stated this in Lagos recently during the seminary’s conferment of awards for peace on two distinguished people from Alimosho area of the state.
“Nigeria is not united at all,” he said.
“There is no unity. Anybody who says there is unity that person is a liar and only deceiving himself. There is tribal sentiment. But that does not mean we should give up hope.
“If I were the president, I would take the National Orientation Agency to become the coordinator myself and leave the ministry of petroleum, because if you weigh the two – petroleum and unity, unity is much more important to the country than petroleum and it is the National Orientation Agency that can do that.”
The cleric, while noting that the country needed leaders that would show good examples in conflict management, stressed that lack of information was the cause of many crises.
“There is trouble everywhere; from the family to the community, country and the world at large. And what is causing it is just lack of information. People need information and leaders that will show good example.
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“So we are picking some individuals that will teach others how to be tolerant of one another and in order to promote peace in the community, country and the world,” he said.
In her remark, a recipient of the award, Rev Dr (Mrs) El-Mariam Akinwande, said there was the need to promote peace in the country and world at large to avert conflicts.
Akinwande, who is the Eko chairman of Nigeria Inter-Religious Committee, NIREC, a forum for peace making, said efforts towards peaceful co-existence among residents in Lagos would be sustained.
“The award is in line with objectives of NIREC and I’ll endeavor to do my best to see that I spread the good news of peace all over Lagos State, Nigeria and all over the world.
“I’ve been on this kind of mission for a very long time; I do this in church by gathering the youth to mentor them, empower them through various skills. We also empower the women and preach peace to all. We counsel and mentor.
While commending the Lagos State government for the improved security of lives and property, the peace ambassador berated killings by Fulani herdsmen.
“I thank the government for its efforts in promoting peace in the country but it is unfortunate that many elements who have turned deaf ear are doing all these killings. And we pray that their evil minds will change. We shall continue in prayers and all other supports we can give to the government we will continue to do so.
“The incident of the killing of two catholic priests and other worshippers was really a sad thing, barbaric and it is unthinkable. How can people go and slaughter worshippers like that? This is really bad,” she lamented.
