By Chuks Isaiah
The former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) has said that Nigerians can wake up and agree collectively to fight insecurity the way they fought Corona Virus and won the battle.
He stated this yesterday 16th May 2021, while delivering his key note address at the Methodist Theological institute, MTI chaplaincy, Mission Hill, Umuahia , Abia state capital.
The occasion was during a leadership capacity building conference, tagged Leadership Impact in 21st Century Nigeria, the maiden edition, organized by the student Union Government of the theological school.
Ihejirika explained that in the fight against Corona Virus, there was no religion, party, tribe or whether citizens work in the Ministry or private organization, as all those things did not matter.
He said that if this kind of resolve is taken by the Governments of Nigeria at all levels and the citizens, in no distant time, insecurity will become a thing of the past in Nigeria.
Ihejirika advised those in authority that whatever is necessary for them to do to restore security should be embarked upon now, as the people are already distressed.
He also advised the students of the school, that as priests, in their dealing with everyone, whether in or out of the church, they must show compassion, because they have taken oath to live a life of servitude.
“Having found the nature of insecurity in the country, as priest, you must focus on the youths. It is always very easy to destroy, but to build is very difficult. Spreading false information has become the order of the day in today’s internet world”, he stated.
Ihejirika advised priest not to forward any message on their WHATSAPP, which they are not sure of to anyone without verification, as this may create hatred and fear among the citizens, who will believe them once they receive such messages from priests that they hold in high esteem.
“As Christians and leaders, we must seize every opportunity to condemn violent crimes and spreading of hatred. When you receive WHATSAPP message and send it without first scrutinizing it, you contribute in spreading fears”, the retired General explained.
“Spreading fears will not help anybody , rather, it will worsen out condition. If you tell the whole world that South East is under siege, that it is not safe to go to the market, our people and others who want to do business with us will run away from us, and hunger and other disaster will set in and we will become worse for it”, he stated.
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