Save Nigeria from becoming a failed state, Anglican cleric tells Tinubu

Henry Ndukuba, primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, has implored President Bola Tinubu to prevent Nigeria from becoming a failed state.

Ndukuba spoke on Saturday while addressing delegates of the 12th Synod of the diocese of Abuja on the theme: ‘By This Time Tomorrow: Breaking The Siege Upon The Nation’.

The cleric said Nigerians are facing “very tough times in the country” with increasing hardship and starvation.

He added that Nigeria’s “few leaders” who had allowed “evil cabals and sacred cows in this country” are responsible for the nation’s problems.

Ndukuba said insecurity “is eating deep into the fabric of our national life”.

“It would seem as though Nigeria is becoming a failed state in the league of Somalia and South Sudan which are riddled with internal conflicts,” he said.

“Also, Nigeria has been at war in and with herself. Our porous borders and selfish political and religious interests have fuelled this exploitation and the complicity of the security agencies in the kidnap rings that make it difficult to deal with.”

On the economy, Ndukuba said “it is so clear that even ordinary citizens and families feel the pains daily”.

He said the fuel scarcity and increase in electricity tariff are making citizens groan.

He, however, commended Tinubu for the “efforts taken to address the nation’s problems”.

He commended the president for the appointments of Olanipekun Olukoyede as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Olayemi Cardoso as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The cleric appreciated the EFCC chairman for prosecuting past leaders for their “corruption escapades… and to be held accountable for their actions”.

‘MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE REVIEWED’

The primate said the church is in support of organised labour’s demand for a new minimum wage to improve the living standard of workers.  

Ndukuba said the minimum wage should be reviewed “in view of the hyperinflation and general harsh economic environment”.