By: Joe Ephraim, Calabàr
Archbishop Emmah Gospel Isong of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI/has warned Nigerian politicians against reckless utterances capable of fuelling tribalism, hatred and conflict amongst the people
As a result, he urged political leaders to exercise restraint and remember that political offices are temporary.
Isong, who spoke during an Independence Day thanksgiving service in Calabar, said politicians should not use their positions to make statements capable of setting one ethnic group or state against another, stressing that every political office holder would eventually leave office.
“Our political leaders are not exempted from controlling their tongues. Every political office is transient,” he said, warning that politicians often make provocative statements because supporters encourage them by applauding whatever they say.
Isong said Nigerians should remember the country’s past blessings and draw hope from them as they confront present challenges.
He identified forgetfulness, fear, complaining and excessive worry as negative tendencies that could hinder individuals and the nation from achieving their potential. He particularly lamented that Nigerians had failed to sufficiently appreciate the country’s abundant natural resources.
“The problem of Nigeria is that they have forgotten God’s gift of oil wells and other natural resources,” he said, urging citizens to complement criticism with prayers for the country and their respective states.
Isong said Nigeria remained a great country with enormous human and natural resources, despite its challenges, noting that his travels to 54 countries across five continents had given him comparative exposure to the country’s enormous potential.
He called for a national transformation anchored on spiritual renewal, economic reforms, pragmatic government policies, cultural change,
industrialisation, healthcare development and quality education, stressing that education should equip graduates to create jobs rather than depend solely on government employment.
The Archbishop also urged leaders at the federal, state and local government levels to improve collaboration and administration so that Nigeria’s resources could translate into prosperity for ordinary citizens, particularly those in rural communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Bassey Otu, in his Independence Day address, urged Cross Riverians and Nigerians to remain committed to peace, unity and nation-building, saying the anniversary should remind citizens of the sacrifices of those who fought for the country’s independence
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Otu said Nigeria had travelled a long road since 1960, experiencing periods of promise, difficult seasons and significant transformation, but maintained that the resilience, enterprise and hope of Nigerians had endured.
He said his administration’s People First agenda was anchored on the belief that government existed to improve the lives of citizens, promising continued efforts to create opportunities for young people, strengthen education and healthcare, support enterprise, improve infrastructure and attract investment.
The governor said Cross River State’s progress required the collective efforts of government, religious and traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society, youths and responsible citizens, stressing that government alone could not achieve sustainable development.
He urged Nigerians to pray for wisdom for leaders at all levels, peace in their communities, protection for security personnel and opportunities for young people, while calling for greater unity across ethnic, religious and cultural lines.
“Our diversity should not divide us,” Otu said, stressing that Nigerians might belong to different ethnic groups, speak different languages and practise different faiths, but shared one country and a collective destiny.
He urged citizens to reject violence, hatred and division, respect the rule of law and contribute positively to their communities, while expressing confidence in a peaceful and prosperous future for Cross River State and Nigeria.
