Cardinal Okogie Urges Nigerians To Save The Country From "Brink Of Irredeemable Destruction"

Cardinal Okogie Urges Nigerians To Save The Country From "Brink Of Irredeemable Destruction"

The former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal  Olubunmi Okogie yesterday called  on Nigerians to rise to save the country from the "imminent brink of irredeemable destruction".

Cardinal Okogie, who made this call in Lagos at the 11th NBA Ikeja 'Gani Fawhinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium and Award ceremony', further urged Nigerians to wake up from slumber and face reality because there is an urgent need to rescue Nigeria.

According to him, this is the time when every right thinking Nigerian who hate the present situation strong enough, must pray for a desire and the fortitude to act right.

He said, "This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the imminent brink of irredeemable destruction.

"This is the time when the only currency allowed is truth. This is also the time to wake up from slumber and face reality.

"This is the time we must play the politics of the best, for the best position in order to guarantee the best for our nation.

"Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at helms of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, enough of ethnicity", Okogie stated.

Also speaking at the event, the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria needs a responsible leadership that can deliver the social goods

Prof. Osinbajo, who was conferred with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award by the NBA Ikeja Branch alongside late Bamidele Aturu, noted that there is no doubt that Nigerians want a change from what presently obtained.

The lawyer turned politician while speaking of his experience on the field since the campaign commenced, said it was unfortunate that the nation has failed to a point that people no longer believe she could be resuscitated.

Osinbajo also said we cannot afford a situation where our country has no option.

"What we have seen going round the country is that the Nigerian people are so articulate about what they want and are very clear about what is wrong.

"There is no question that people are looking for responsible leadership that could deliver the social goods and responsible leadership means transparent leadership".

Osinbajo supported the views expressed by Dr. Zaid Timilehin, one of the guest lecturers that the change people are looking for was not about ethnicity or religion.

He emphasized that what should be done as a nation is to choose who would represent us best irrespective of religion and ethnicity.

"And I believe very strongly that the time has come in this nation when change is not just possible but it may well be inevitable.

"So if we don't bring about that change somehow, the people themselves will bring about the change", Osinbajo said.

Also while reviewing a collection of all the lectures delivered at the annual Gani Fawhinmi Lecture/Symposium from 2005 to 2014, Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana said the publication could not have come at a more opportune time than now.

He said this are trying times for the country "while a leading candidate of the opposition political party has threatened to jail those who loot the treasury, President Jonathan has assured Nigerians, that if re-elected, his administration would use technology to fight corruption instead of sending people to the prison yard.

"It is also interesting to note that political parties and politicians are being compelled to debate and discuss issues pertaining to the underdevelopment of the country", he stated.