From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deal decisively and swiftly with incessant attacks and bloodletting in the country. In fact, he said heads of national security agencies have been ordered to take necessary action to apprehend and expose those behind the heinous attacks, which have led to the loss of hundreds of lives, sacking of communities and destruction of property, across the country.
According to Buhari who spoke during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) him led by its President, Ignatius Kaigama, on Monday at the Presidential Villa, “We’re determined to secure all Nigerians and I have told the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, in very strong terms, to deal decisively with the attackers”.
He was joined at the meeting by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, among other aides.
Members of the Catholic Church delegation included Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah; Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze; Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Godfrey Onah; Felix Alaba Job; Anthony Obina; Valerian Okeke; Gabriel Abegunrin; Matthew Ndagoso; Lucius Ugorji; William Ayenya; John Nyiring; Camilius Umoh; Ralph Madu; and John Okoye.
President Buhari expressed his personal condolences to the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and all other communities that have suffered fatalities and other losses from the recent attacks.
Following the brutal attack in Nimbo, Enugu community last week, the Federal Government enjoined the people of the South East geo-political zone to be patient, law-abiding and peaceful as Buhari was committed to bringing to a halt the issue of insurgency across the country.
But last Friday, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja was attacked by suspected herdsmen
along the Benin-Ekpoma Road, while on his way from Uromi after attending the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Akubueze as a bishop and 10th anniversary of the Diocese Uromi.
The President also assured the bishops that he was acting with deliberation and moving methodically to implement his change agenda for the good of the country.
“We need to rebuild our institutions methodically, we need to change the way we do things. In the last 10 years, crude oil sold for more that $100 per barrel, but Nigeria did not save. That is why we have found ourselves where we are today,” he said.
The President further assured the bishops that his administration was working hard to fulfill the promises the All Progressives Congress (APC) made to Nigerians during the electioneering, adding that his greatest motivating factor for him was the desire to bring positive change to Nigeria.
When fielding questions from State House correspondents, Kaigama said the Catholic Church was 100 per cent behind Buhari on his anti-corruption war, describing corruption as a cancer whose defeat was the only way the nation can progress.
“Since 1960, the Catholic bishops have been talking against corruption, telling people to avoid it. It is a cancer, it is dangerous, it is a sickness and it is a social disease. We have assured the President that we are 100 per cent with him in his fight against corruption.
“With corruption, we can’t progress. With corruption, everything goes wrong, immorality takes over, retrogression takes place. So corruption is a huge obstacle that has to be dismantled”, Kaigama said.
The Bishop Conference President who said they were impressed with the passion President Buhari spoke about how to make the county better and to mobilise all Nigerians to selflessly put in their best.
“We assured the President of our prayers, moral support and our desire to cooperate. In the Catholic Church, whether it is education, healthcare or social services, we have done quite a lot over the years. With the willing disposition of the President and his attitude of embracing everyone, we felt we should spell out some areas of closer collaboration.
“We found him a sincere man with great sense of dedication. He wants the best for this nation. We also want the best for this nation.
“He agrees that not everyone is working as he expects. There are some who are clogs in the wheel of progress. We are praying and hoping that such people will see that Nigeria is greater than all of us, that we should develop patriotic disposition and our aspiration should be to put this country first. With that, criminalities and other things that are anti-social will give way. We have every hope. We only need to be a little more patient,” he said.