RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALL FOR REJUVENATING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Reporter : CHIKA EWURUM
Religious leaders have been charged to conscientize their followers to end the evil of corruption in Nigeria.
The representative of the Project Director MacArthur Foundation funded Project, Dr. Abudulmumini Isah, gave the charge in a remark during a Town Hall meeting in Owerri on “Combating Corruption tTrough Interfaith platforms in Nigeria.”
Dr. Isah alleged that government tools for punishing corrupt persons, which included EFCC and ICPC were no longer working.
He therefore encouraged formation of groups that could speak out against the menace as permitted by the Korean.
The Imo State Chief Imam, Sheik Suleman Njoku, noted that the fight against corruption should start from within.
According to Shiek Njoku, human behavioral attitude that runs contrary to the law of morality is corruption.
The cleric asked his fellow religious leaders to preach the undiluted word of the Holy books as a way of fighting the scourge.
He claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world today was punishment for corruption as was written in the scripture.
Also, the Chaplain Anglican chapel of Light Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), the Venerable Kelechi Okere, advised government to incorporate the Faith-based organisations in the fight for effective result.
He maintained that government could fight corruption the same way they were fighting COVID-19.
The clergyman emphasised that religious bodies could fight corruption through teaching, preaching, counseling and prayer.
The Venerable Okere expressed regret that in fighting the war against corruption those in authority tended to take bribe, thereby setting the guilt free and punishing the innocent.
Also contributing, the Imam, Imo State Police Command, Owerri, Sheik Ibrahim Mukaila, described Nigeria as a vehicle without engine or Tyre but want to move.
Meanwhile, the senior Pastor Word Celebration Christian Center Owerri, Pastor Restand Amadi, points out that corruption goes beyond the politicians as it exists in the day to day activities of people.
According to Pastor Amadi, to fight corruption, it must be identified, condemned in totalty and correctional measures must be applied.
The Program Officer, UNN Muslim Community, Malam Nurudeen Adeyemo, appreciated those who honoured their invitation and enjoined them to carry the good news of the town hall meeting to their various gathering and homes.
The event, which was organised by University of Nigeria Nsukka Muslim Community in conjunction with Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, drew participants from various groups, including the leader of Yoruba community in IMO State Chief Adedeji.
Chief Adedeji advised government to include discipline as a subject in schools to combat corruption from the cradle.