Nigeria can defeat Boko Haram - Gowon

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, Sunday, called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the ability of the Federal Government to contain the current insurgency in some parts of the country.

They maintained that Nigerian troops were capable and experienced to handle Boko Haram fighters, adding that security operatives only need cooperation of the general populace.

The duo, who spoke separately at the 25th Silver Jubilee of the Inauguration of the Diocese of Abuja, Anglican Communion, with the theme; ‘Celebrating the Faithfulness of God’, in Abuja, noted that security was a responsibility of everybody.

Gowon said people should not see the ongoing problem as a religious war, as both Christians and Muslims were affected, assuring that the recent directive given to military would yield a positive result.

He said: “It is not about the Christians in the north, we are all affected. Federal Government has given a directive to security agencies to bring sanity in this area (north-east), and I assure you, they will. So, what they need is your prayer and your support.”

According to Okoh, the struggle to put an end to insurgency could not only be achieved by the Federal Government alone, as it requires the collective effort that was devoid of politics.

The Primate admonished Nigerians to be of good courage, adding: “God does not go on holiday in our case.”

The cleric in his sermon at the thanksgiving service called on Christian faithful to shun tribalism and sentiment, which he said had become the order of the day in the church of God.

He noted that corruption had been a cog in the wheel of progress, affecting the country and the church.

Okoh expressed regret that people openly justified their corrupt practices.

He said: “When you work from the altar, you eat from the altar and that is what they claim. But in our country today, people are eating the real altar and nothing is left.”

He challenged the church, saying “we have a course to build up a godly people. If we must have a decent society, then the church must lead the fight against corruption. If you were stealing before, steal no more, if you were killing people to advance your agenda, then, kill no more.

“This is the hour of redemption. Come to God and repent, majority of us are cut up in this direction.”