Rt. Rev. Akinpelu Johnson, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland, has urged the Federal Government to put in place measures to restore confidence in the citizens.
Johnson said this on Friday at the third session of the Fourth Synod of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland (Anglican Communion) held at the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba.
The theme of the Synod is “All Things Come From You; And Of Your Own We Have Given You.”
He urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to adopt a more pragmatic approach to curb insecurity in the country.
“The issue of insecurity has continued to be a major problem in our country.
“Terrorist attacks such as Boko Haram and the menace of the herdsmen have continued unabated, and have destroyed lots of lives and properties.
“The recent killing of two Catholic priests with members of their congregation, demonstrates just how deprived people can be.
“Where else can people go to for sanctuary, if not in a place of prayer and worship? There is the need for the carnage to be stopped as quickly as possible,” he said.
The cleric urged the government to do all within its power to secure the release of all those still in captivity.
Johnson also condemned the continued holding in captivity of Miss Leah Sharibu, the 14-year-old Dapchi Christian girl, by the suspected Boko Haram insurgents for refusing to convert to Islam.
The pastor said that this act had left much to be desired in a country that acknowledged secularism.
“Leah celebrated her 15th birthday recently in captivity.
“There are also some Chibok girls who are yet to be accounted for, almost four years after their abduction,” he said.
Johnson advised the three tiers of government to create jobs for the unemployed and involve youths in skills’ acquisition programmes.
He also enjoined them to facilitate bank loans for genuine entrepreneurs and improve important infrastructure such as power supply and transportation across the country.
“The number of unemployed persons continues to rise, and the hope of getting a job after graduation for an average graduate is becoming dimmer by the day.
“This, obviously, brings with it many sociological consequences, one of which is the rising level of crime in the country,’’ he said.
Johnson said that with the development, it was obvious that the traditional Nigerian family values and social-support system were under serious threat of disintegration.
“When youths cannot find employments through no fault of theirs, they will in desperation, leave the shores of this land illegally, all in the quest of searching for greener pastures.
“We have heard stories of how some of our youths at the risk of their own lives, had paid traffickers to take them to Europe.
“Many had died in the process and many had found themselves enslaved under terrible conditions,’’ Johnson said.
The cleric said that some ladies had also taken to prostitution for them and their families to survive.
“ Surely, there must be a better way out for our youths,” he said.
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