—– Agitation in South West sequel to attacks, mindless killings of valued souls
—- FG appears not to understand the feelings of the people
The Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Stephen Fagbemi has asked the Presidency to stop dissipating efforts on chasing agitators and focus on major security challenges facing the country.
Fagbemi said this during the 3rd session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Owo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the Saint Paul’s Church, Okeluse in Ose council area of the state.
Reading his charge, he lamented that the Federal government had not been able to resolve security challenges which had led to agitations from some sections of the country.
The cleric said rather than dissipating efforts on chasing agitators, efforts should be used on solving poverty, kidnapping and banditry that had bedevilled the land.
“While the troubles of our land are truly numerous, insecurity is one that has overwhelmed everyone in recent times, and it is evident that our national government has not been able to overcome yet.
“Banditry has brought untold hardship and untimely death to many communities, and the highways are not safe.
“Kidnapping seems to have become a lucrative but wicked business in our land. Many lives have been lost and millions of money paid on ransoms. We need deliverance.
“The agitation of the South West people of Nigeria came to the fore because of the attacks on its people and the mindless killings of valued souls attributed to Fulani herdsmen.
“While no area or state has been spared including Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo; it is in Oyo State in lbarapa Local Government Area that it has received more prominence.
“And this is why Sunday lgboho has suddenly become a household name symbolizing the aspiration of the people for freedom and deliverance from these evil people.
“It was disturbing to see the undeserved attack on his house in Ibadan on July 1. The government needs to exercise caution about attacking these people.
“It must rather concentrate efforts at tackling the issues that led to their emergence. If only our government could exact the same efforts it used on attacking Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a. Sunday Igboho’s house and use the same intelligence and skill it used on kidnapping and bringing Nnamdi Kanu the leader of [PCB to Nigeria, on the bandits and insurgents in Nigeria, our country would have become a better place to live in.
“Whatever the Government of Nigeria is doing with these individuals and others, it should bear in mind that they stand for the concerns and interest of millions of Nigerians.
“Therefore they should be handled with caution. There is no need to cause problem where there is none. They should run after our real troublemakers and killers and kidnappers of the people.
” l wish to call on all stakeholders in the Southwest to work together to save and protect its people from ruthless killings of their people. The Federal Government appears to not understand the feelings of the people.
“Regrettably, the response to the Statement by Southern Governors, attributed to the presidency is, to say the least, insensitive and proven evidence that they would rather hold on to power than addressing the common needs of their people.
“How on earth can the ban on open grazing be compared to motor spare-parts dealers living and doing their legitimate business in the northern part of Nigeria? When the Governors spoke, they spoke the minds of their people.
“How can a call for the President to address the people take so long to come and when it did, it had no solution to the problem but compounded it by attempting to revert to an old route for bringing cattle to the South?
“How can the business of a section of the society be allowed to override the collective security interest of the entire country?
” We call on the Buhari-led Federal Government to as a matter of urgency address the concerns of the people of this country instead of allowing an undue crisis to fester.”
Bishop Fagbemi who commended Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for efforts being put in place to fight insecurity urged the governor to be more proactive in the ban of open grazing as herdsmen had disregarded the ban and had been moving their cows around again.
In his remark, governor Akeredolu speaking on the theme for the synod “Abiding Fruitfulness” charged the congregation to be faithful in all their dealings with God and humans.
Akeredolu also admonished the people to continue to adhere strictly to all Covid-19 protocols, particularly to ensure that the Delta variant doesn’t spread among the people of the state.
“Last year, there was a problem. The whole world was shut down. There were not many synods that were held.
“We have many reasons to thank God for this year. But don’t take this Covid-19 for granted, particularly when you look at the Delta variant that has just come in. It’s more dangerous than what we have before.
The governor said “This will be my appeal to most of us, especially if you have not been vaccinated. I want to advise us, take the time to obey these COVID-19 protocols. Wear your mask, wash your hands.
Culled from the Vanguard News Nigeria
