Religious leaders under the auspices of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), have called on the government to punish terror actors who are using Nigeria’s abundant natural resources to fuel Insecurity in the country.
Delivering a welcome address in Abuja at the fourth quarterly meeting of NIREC in 2024, the president Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and co-chair of NIREC, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said this year’s theme: “Our Natural Resources and Insecurity in Nigeria,” was ideal as it addressed the challenges “where the abundance of our natural wealth, unfortunately, connects with the growing tide of insecurity in the land.”
He said Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, but worried that the mode of exploitation and greed in managing these resources often led to strife across communities, ethnic and regional groups who aim to control these resources.
“These resources have the potential to serve as a powerful engine for our national development – creating jobs, alleviating poverty, and improving the quality of life for all Nigerians. However, the reality we face is starkly different. Instead of being a blessing, our natural resources have, in many instances, become a source of conflict and insecurity.
“The resulting insecurity has had devastating effects on our social fabric, leading to displacement, loss of lives, and a pervasive sense of fear among our citizens,” he said.
He stressed the need for religious leaders to take up their roles of teaching the values of stewardship, sanctity of human life, compassion, and justice.
He urged them to be the voice of the voiceless and advocate for equitable resource distribution, and promote peace and reconciliation among communities.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar called out politicians for fraudulently accumulating unnecessary wealth.
The Sultan, who is also a co-chair of NIREC, said that Nigerians needed to return to God and ask for mercy to restore peace and progress to the country.
“Let us remind ourselves that no matter what you have in this world, it doesn’t belong to you. God placed it in your hands momentarily so you can use it to improve the lives of others. Reach out to the needy in your communities and neighbourhoods,” he said.
The Sultan commended the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Fr Cornelius Omonokhua, members and stakeholders, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume for showing commitment towards religious peace and tolerance in Nigeria.
He said, “Undoubtedly, 2024 has been a tortuous year for Nigerians. It hasn’t been easy for people financially or otherwise. Nevertheless, we must keep our faith alive, hoping that 2025 will be a better year.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the executive secretary, Fr Omonokhua, regretted that in the Niger Delta, the presence of crude had turned into a curse instead of a blessing such that the people wished they didn’t have the resources.
In the North, he also worried that instead of developing the solid minerals, and agriculture that fed the nation in times past, the people were rather faced with insecurity.
He, however, reiterated NIREC’s commitment to promoting peace and prayed to the almighty to grant Nigeria the prudence to manage its resources prudently.