NOA to clerics: Use your platforms to preach peace, de-escalate tension

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged religious leaders and traditional rulers to preach messages that will promote peace in the country.

The NOA’s message comes hours after Ejike Mbaka, spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), criticised political leaders over Nigeria’s current security situation, and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.

Garba Abari, NOA director-general, in a statement on Thursday by Peter Odenyi, his spokesperson, appealed to leaders across the country to desist from inflammatory messages that will worsen the current security situation.

He also urged the youths to help build a peaceful nation, saying they will be the biggest beneficiaries if Nigeria is peaceful.

“At these very challenging times, all the nation and its citizens need are deeper reflection and sobriety in what we do and say, as truly, the forces of disunity and national disintegration are at work,” Abari said.

“Community, political, religious and economic leaders of the country should urgently build consensus on the need to rescue Nigeria from the grips of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, secessionism and violent cultism to avoid a slide into anarchy. If we allow Nigeria to burn, it will consume all of us.

“The youths, especially, must realise that they are the biggest stakeholders and beneficiaries of a peaceful Nigeria. They should therefore make concerted effort to build a stable nation where they will realise all of their life ambitions and potential.

“Crises will disrupt our lives, abort our dreams and leave us with the future task of building the country anew.”