CLERIC LAMENTS WIDESPREAD POVERTY IN NIGERIA

By ETOP EKANEM
LAGOS -Associate Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan, has lamented wide spread poverty in the country, saying this was due to misrule, deliberate plundering of the resources of the nation and the violations of the rights of majority by few Nigerians and their foreign collaborators.

Rev Olaitan spoke during the 2011 prayer day for Nigeria at the Marian Shrine, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, organised by Apostleship of Prayer League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lagos Archdiocesan Council, weekend.

He said the more the resources we have, the more the poverty we see, adding: 'We are blessed with resources beyond imagination yet we are unable to rule ourselves and to equitably share what is available to us. Nigeria's resources notwithstanding, there is poverty on a large scale.'

Corrupt officials go unpunished and the corruption circle continues. Wealth of the nation is viewed as a national cake but it is available to the powerful.'

He advised Nigerians to continue to pray 'for our nation. Our problems are surmountable. What is needed is the courage to face our situation truthfully.'

Also speaking, president of the group, Mr Nebeolisa Geoffrey, said the prayer day for Nigeria, which started in year 2000, was aimed at addressing the sad situation in the country and urged all Christians and other religious bodies to intercede on behalf of the country to effect the desired changes.