MAKINDE TASKS NIGERIAN LEADERS ON JUSTICE
Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Ola Makinde has blamed the economic hardship, political instability, violence, kidnapping, militancy, youth restiveness and other vices plaguing the nation on the unrighteousness, injustice and self-centredness of her leaders.
He, however said that God would restore the nation to its past glory should Nigerians and her leaders leave their sinful ways and embrace righteousness and justice.
Makinde who made this known in an address he sent to the 20th annual synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Aba Diocese, said that sins and self-centredness have replaced righteousness and justice in the land.
Quoting copiously from the scriptures to agree with this year's synod theme: 'Righteousness Exalts a Nation,' the prelate said. 'If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'
He stated that the prosperity of nations and individuals was of paramount importance to God as he made this known through Prophet Jeremiah: 'For I know the plans I have for you…. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' He urged political leaders to put their acts together for God's plan for the country to manifest.
Reacting almost in the same vein, the Methodist Bishop of Aba Diocese, Rt. Rev. Barr. Christopher Ede observed that the nation was hungry for righteous rulers noting that where the righteous rules, the people rejoice and when the wicked is on the throne, the people groan.
He expressed regret that because of sin, the city of Aba is currently witnessing all forms of violent crimes which had forced many people out of the city with businesses closing down with the attendant suffering of the masses.
Ede lamented that in Nigeria, the people of the East have been worst hit by the global economic recession because 'the Igbos have been reduced to buying and selling for the majority that are left out of the crumbs that fell from the tables of the economic and political power houses controlled by the South West and the North zones.'
He called on governments of the South East to introduce mechanized farming in their states as way of ameliorating the problem.
He enumerated achievements recorded by the dioceses in the preceding year and reeled out policy agenda for 2010 which included, aggressive evangelism, financial stability and creation of a second diocese out of Aba diocese.