Insecurity: Nigerian Leaders Must Return To God – Cleric

[Defender]

A Christian cleric, Rev Elijah Afolabi, has warned that problems confronting Nigeria might remain unresolved until the leaders of the country turned to God and fear him, saying that the fear of God remains the only solution to the problems confronting the nation.

Afolabi, who called on the Nigerian leaders to rely solely on God, stressed that the only solution to the security challenges in the country is absolute reliance on God, who can secure a nation and its people.

The clergy stated this last Sunday in a sermon at a church service to flag-off the activities marking the 20th Anniversary of the Osun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the First Baptist Church, Ada.

Stressing the need for the leaders to say the truth in all situations and stand for same always, Afolabi said: "It is only righteousness that exalts a nation. The country can only be peaceful when our leaders fear God and defend the truth at all times.

"There cannot be solution to Nigeria's problems outside of God; it is only in God we can find solutions to the problems confronting the country. Without recognizing God as the solution to our problems in Nigeria, the problems may continue."

The clergy man, who drew inspiration from the Holy Bible, charged all Nigerians to rise above the fear of men and submit totally to the will of God saying; "our leaders should not rely on anybody for promotion as it is only God that can promote".

Describing journalism as a delicate profession, Afolabi enjoined journalists in the country to always say the truth, just as he charged them to stand in gap between the government and the governed.

He said; "As journalists, the onus is on you to say the truth at all times. Journalists should also be the link between government and the people. The profession is a call and you have the mandate and truth of the people as the conscience of the nation.

Earlier in his remark, the NUJ Chairman, Osun State Council, Alhaji Ismaila Ayodele, assured that journalists in the state would not relent in their constitutional responsibilities of informing, educating and entertaining the people.

He called therefore on the people to give maximum support to journalists in the discharge of their professional duties.

A member of the House of Representatives, Honurable Yinka Ajayi who was also at the church service, lauded journalists for their roles at ensuring peaceful co-existence in the country.

Osun Defender