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Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has castigated the Federal Government over the proposed initiative for herders. He advised the government to gain the confidence of Nigerians rather than override their sentiments and impose ...
Read More »Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has castigated the Federal Government over the proposed initiative for herders. He advised the government to gain the confidence of Nigerians rather than override their sentiments and impose a Ruga settlements policy on them, especially as the nation was experiencing high rate of insecurity. He gave the advise yesterday at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, during the consecration of four Bishops-elect. The Bishops-elect are, Olukayode Adenola Adebogun; Adedokun Adesoji Adewunmi; Martyn Chukwuma Anagbogu and Reverend Canon Augustine Aigbovbiose Unuigbe. At the ceremony, two Archbishops, Most Reverend Daniel Yisa of the Lokoja Ecclesiastical Province and Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province were also presented for a second term in office. Okoh, who fielded questions from journalists on Federal Government’s decision to create ranches in all states, described the policy as instigative. “My view is that some government’s decisions are instigative and as such, government should do something to gain the confidence of Nigerians. It is wrong to take people and their sentiments for granted,” he said. He also disclosed why the Church decided to send the newly consecrated Bishops-elect to the United States of America (USA), saying: “The Church of Nigeria is progressive and the gospel of Christ must be advanced. Bishop of Adott, USA, Rt. Reverend Amos Fagbamiye, who spoke earlier in his sermon on: Move Forward With The Gospel, enjoined the new Bishops-elect to be courageous, fearless, holy and know that Jesus Christ called and mandated them to preach the gospel of salvation to all mankind. Besides, Governor Udom Emmanuel has been urged by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Akwa Ibom State to reject Federal Government’s proposed Ruga settlements for herders in the state. Reverend Ndueso Ekwere the State Chairman of CAN, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Uyo, the state capital. He revealed that to underscore the importance of the proposed policy, traditional and religious leaders in the three senatorial districts of the state have scheduled a meeting for Saturday in Uyo on the way forward for the development in the country. He said the meeting became necessary, as it would afford all concerned Akwa Ibom people an avenue to discuss and take a position on the issue. Ekwere added that Federal Government’s move to establish Ruga settlements for Fulani herdsmen in most states of the federation could worsen the nation’s insecurity challenges and is not only counterproductive. It will also deprive most farmers of their farmlands and space for infrastructure and industrial development that would boost economic activities in the states. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said the suspension of Federal Government’s Ruga settlements policy is victory for Nigerians. Ortom who made the declaration in a statement issued by Terver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary, stressing that the rejection of the policy by many states and organisations was not personal but a struggle against impunity and injustice. While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding Nigerians’ call to suspend of the policy, Ortom maintained that the decision shows that President Buhari has heard the voice of Nigerians on the matter. Meanwhile, scores of Imo State residents yesterday rejoiced over the suspension of Ruga settlement policy by the presidency. Responding earlier, Governor Emeka Ihedioha stressed that from the pulse of Imo people, the state government was never in support of Ruga settlement of Fulani cattle rearers. It became a subject of discourse in markets, drinking joints, parks and major roads, as people first received the information on social media before radio stations began to broadcast the news. Alex C. Manu who is an Owerri-based businessman, said he was in support of the suspension, adding that if the presidency had implemented it, the policy would have done more harm than good, which would have led to more complications in the country.
