Archbishop
Emmanuel Chukwuma shares his thoughts on the state of the nation and
expressed worries that except the right steps are taken by the present
administration, to put the country on the right pedestal, the country’s
woes would continue unabated. According to him, “all is not well at all,
with Nigeria.
We must sound it: All is not well.
Nigeria has become a very difficult place for people to exist.
It is as if we are in captivity and we are looking forward to God’s
deliverance…. In fact, Nigeria is in captivity under Buhari”.
In
this interview, Chukwuma, who is the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu
Ecclesiastical Province, while speaking on a number of other national
issues, describes the idea of sale of national assets as shameful
because, “when our forefathers acquired those assets, it was for us to
build on them and not for us to sell off our birth right”.
And
on ‘Wife in the Kitchen issue’, he said the President’s wife should be
hailed because she, “…did not speak as a president’s wife but as an
ordinary Nigerian who feels the bite of the prevailing harsh economic
and socio-political situation on Nigerians.
What do you make of the current state of the Nigerian nation?The
current state of the nation is very bad, very hard, very, very much
uncertain, and people are very much discouraged and living with
uncertainty, given the state of the economy and the current biting
economic recession.
People are really tired and confused about
the present government. And one is, therefore, wandering where we are
heading in this country.
It has become very difficult for the
common man to make three square meals a day; and salaries are not enough
to help workers to cope with the harsh economic realities. The income
is getting minimal even as expenditure keeps rising by the day.
Also,
the exchange rate has taken a disgraceful turn under a government that
had proudly promised to make the naira equal or even stronger than the
dollar.
What about the rising state of unemployment? Many
more of our graduates are still unemployed. Nothing is happening about
that; it has all been wishful promises hence many of them indulge in
crime, even as many workers are being relieved of their jobs. So, the
situation has brought upon citizens, untold sadness and despondency. A
look at our security is also nothing to write home about.
In some
areas there have been increased cases of kidnapping while cases of
armed robbery and terrorism have continued unabated in other areas.
However,
we are grateful to God that some of the terrorists are surrendering
their arms and embracing amnesty. But that notwithstanding, all is not
well at all, with Nigeria. We must sound it: All is not well! Nigeria
has become a very difficult place for people to exist.
It is as
if we are in captivity; and we are looking forward to God’s deliverance.
In fact, one can say that Nigeria is in captivity under Buhari’s
administration. So, we are still praying to God to take us back to the
promise land, and I know that He will deliver us.
Do you think
that the change which the ruling party and Buhari had repeatedly
promised Nigerians during their campaigns is still achievable by the
present administration?Well, it depends on what type of change they are trying to bring in.
I heard them promise that their version of change will manifest next
year. However, the change that we see now is not a good version.
The change is of hardship and people are not comfortable at all. Right
now, all I can say that is good about their sermon of change is that the
situation is making Nigerians to change from their life of profligacy
to prudence. To me,
Buhari’s government is a punishment, and caution to Nigerians. I
think that God is trying to punish us, and at the same time caution us
with the present administration, for our past recklessness and mistakes
as a nation. That is why I said that it is a time of captivity –
where God chose to put Nigeria into the kind of biblical captivity of
Assyria and Babylon.
And until we repent from our sins, God may
not rescue us. So, it is a time for everybody to repent, in their small
corners, from life of wastage, wickedness and impunity; and begin to
live a life of prudence, love and patriotism.
My understanding of
the 'Change Begins with Me' campaign is that Nigeria has come to a point
where everybody should accept to begin to discipline themselves and
adopt ways of righteousness and patriotism.
But sadly, as far as
the Nigerian economy is concerned, we have only experienced evil
change. We have not seen any good thing in our economy. There may be a
change in attitude whereby people are now being more disciplined and
cautious about indulging in impunity. That is all.
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