PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor Friday decried the erosion of moral values in the society and called for moral transformation to restore the country on the path of development.
They spoke at the flag-off of the National Christian Campaign on Social Transformation in Abuja, with the theme, "I Be the Change You Want to See."
Jonathan noted that the entire society had failed, adding that the result could be seen in incidences of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and ritual killing among others.
Urging Nigerians to return to God, the president said: "It would appear we have the society we deserve. In deed, we have lost moral values and principles; we have lost the values of hard work, respect for elders, truthfulness and contentment. So much has gone wrong in our family life, schools, churches and the society in general. Our priorities are misplaced."
Represented by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amma Pepple, the president said that a great responsibility is placed on the church to lead the campaign to restore our values and morals in order to bring about the much-needed transformation in the society.
He described the campaign as the spiritual arm of government's Transformation Agenda.
In his sermon, CAN President, Oritsejafor called for a new Nigeria where people are no longer judged by their tribe or religion and a Nigeria where mediocrity is exposed and hard work is rewarded.
He stated that the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was not by mistake, adding that God is behind the idea of the country called Nigeria.
He said: "Some people criticise Lord Lugard for the amalgamation of Nigeria into Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914 but the coming together of the different ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria was not by mistake, but by God's design. If God can change me, God can change Nigeria. If you look with the eyes of the spirit, you see a great Nigeria but if you look with a natural eye, you see a nation that is struggling and confused. There is a wrestling going on in Nigeria but the wrestling will soon be over. When values are twisted, people become pretenders."
Earlier in his remarks, Cardinal Onaiyekan pointed out that the country cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a change and urged Nigerians to be agents of change in their respective domains.
The Guardian