Clerics Urge Government to Tackle Insecurity, Embrace Responsibility at Easter
During Easter celebrations across Nigeria, prominent religious leaders and a legal expert have issued urgent calls for the government to address the nation's escalating insecurity and adopt a more responsible, people-centered approach to governance. Their messages, delivered in sermons and events, highlighted deep concerns over the safety of citizens and the need for transformative leadership.
Bishop Familoni Decries Insecurity and Questions Security Budgets
The Bishop of Oyo South Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev. (Dr) Olufemi Familoni, expressed grave alarm over the state of insecurity in the country. Speaking at an Easter event, he lamented the widespread disregard for human life and the disturbing frequency of killings, particularly in the Middle Belt region. "No nation can progress if its citizens and property are not safe," Familoni emphasized, pointing to the fundamental link between security and national development.
He raised critical questions about the effectiveness of security budgets, noting the persistence of embarrassing security lapses despite substantial financial allocations. This critique underscores a growing public frustration with perceived mismanagement of resources intended to protect Nigerians.
Bishop Adegbite Calls for Reflection and Unity
In Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and Lagos State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, urged Christians to use the Easter season as a period of deep reflection. He encouraged believers to contemplate God's love and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, and to extend that same compassion to others, the nation, and its leadership.
Adegbite spoke at the Destiny 2026 conference, themed "A Time of Refreshing in His Presence," which marked the 38th anniversary of Vineyard Christian Ministries Inc. He expressed optimism about Nigeria's future, assuring citizens that the nation would not disintegrate despite current challenges. His message aimed to inspire unity and national transformation through acts of love and solidarity.
Senior Advocate Ayorinde Advocates for People-Centered Leadership
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Bolaji Ayorinde called for a significant shift towards people-centered leadership as a crucial step in tackling insecurity and fostering genuine development. He made this appeal during an Easter service and send-forth ceremony for the retiring Bishop of Ibadan, The Most Revd Joseph Akinfenwa, held at the Cathedral of St. James the Great in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ayorinde, who serves as the Deputy Chancellor of the church, reflected on pressing national issues while praising the retiring bishop's decades of dedicated service. He stressed that Nigeria urgently needs leaders who prioritize the welfare of citizens over political interests. This call highlights the broader demand for accountability and effective governance in addressing security concerns.
Together, these voices from the clergy and legal community underscore a collective plea for action during the Easter period. They emphasize that tackling insecurity requires not only budgetary allocations but also responsible leadership and a commitment to human welfare, echoing the themes of sacrifice and renewal central to the Easter celebration.
