Direct your sermons to Nigerian leaders, Oba of Lagos tells clerics

Religious leaders gathered for a peace meeting organised by the National Orientation Agency.

By Ben Ezeamalu

The traditional ruler of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Thursday urged Christian and Muslim leaders to direct their sermons to the country’s leaders.

He said this at a peace meeting of Christian, Muslim, and Traditional leaders organised by the National Orientation Agency, in Lagos.

“The thing that cause our country to fall is the corrupt attitude of some of our leaders,” said Teslim Jinadu-Eko, Head of White Cap Chiefs in Lagos State, who represented Mr. Akiolu.

“That is why I don’t blame the Boko Haram, most of them are graduates but there is no work…

“On the part of religious leaders, they have to direct their preaching to our leaders,” Mr. Jinadu-Eko added.

The peace meeting was part of a working tour of all the states in the federation, the organizers said.

At the meeting, the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Garba Ibrahim, noted that Christians andMuslims in the state have always co-habited in harmony.

“Most people say Boko Haram is a religious problem, it is politics.”

“We’ll continue to pray. We believe that once we send a prayer to Almighty Allah, he’s ready to accept it,” Mr. Ibrahim said.

On his part, the Lagos State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bernard Okodua, blamed the injustice that “prevails” in the country on “lack of love.”

“Whether Boko Haram is religious or political, nobody has the right to kill innocent people whether in the church or mosque. Life belongs to God,” said Mr. Okodua, a Monsignor.

“We want Lagos to remain peaceful. We also want to pray for the other parts of the country where we are hearing these problems. They are also our brothers. They should copy from Lagos,” Mr. Okodua added.

In his remark, Mike Omeri, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, called for a return to the values of the past.

“We do not wish to see those who plundered our natural resources in the National Assembly or as governors,” Mr. Omeri said. “It is simply because we have refused to do the right things, that’s why we are where we are.”

Mr. Omeri stated that similar peace meetings have been held in Kwara, Taraba, Plateau, Abia, and Bayelsa states.