Churches in Nigeria have been advised to
always partner with government at all levels in order to improve the
welfare of the poor in the country.
The former deputy governor of Enugu
State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi gave this charge at a one-day seminar
organised by the Catholic Politics Commission, Enugu Diocese, titled,
“Good Governance to Avert Catastrophe, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral,
Enugu at the weekend.
In a nine-page paper titled, “Good Governance as a Roadmap to Prosperity,” Itanyi said the church had the responsibility to “minister to the sick, the homeless, orphans, or abandoned children, the needy, those who are poor in spirit and the disabled.
“It is the duty of the church to speak on behalf of the poor and those who feel marginalised. It is the duty of the church to stand for the truth and be proactive in politics without being bound by loyalty to specific political party.’’
He, however, added that government also has the responsibility to meet the needs of the masses. He explained that good governance ensures that corruption is minimised, views of the minority considered and the voices of the most vulnerable in the society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of the society.
Itanyi said good governance has notable characteristics such as accountability, transparency, rule of law, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and participation.
“Good governance requires consultation to understand the different interests of stakeholders in order to reach a broad consensus. And this is achieved in a sustainable and prudent manner.
“This is where the church has to play an important role. This is because every nation needs God and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Itanyi said.
Also delivering a paper titled, “Facets and Ramifications of the Corruption Cankerworm on the Body Polity and the Sinews of the Country,” Prof. Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokolo, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, evaluated the implications of corruption for humans, particularly Nigerians. He further advocated a change of values by educating the people on the need to embrace ideals that transcend life.
The university don outlined the various forms of corruption ravaging the nation at different levels to include petty corruption, grand corruption, systemic or endemic corruption, political corruption, police corruption, judicial corruption, corruption in labour unions, among others.
“If we can change the human nature that has enthroned corruption, which is a social virus that has crept into all our institutions, including schools that ought to serve as a good example, then we are near to stemming the tide of corruption,” Chukwuokolo asserted.
He, however, expressed optimism that the church would hold crusades against corruption in order to “avert more trouble in our society, adding that most people believe that crimes such as terrorism, armed robbery etc emanate from reactionary tendencies against political corruption.”
“Where do we go with unbridled and primitive accumulation of wealth?” he asked, and advised Nigerians to re-evaluate their values since they know where the problems are coming from.
In a nine-page paper titled, “Good Governance as a Roadmap to Prosperity,” Itanyi said the church had the responsibility to “minister to the sick, the homeless, orphans, or abandoned children, the needy, those who are poor in spirit and the disabled.
“It is the duty of the church to speak on behalf of the poor and those who feel marginalised. It is the duty of the church to stand for the truth and be proactive in politics without being bound by loyalty to specific political party.’’
He, however, added that government also has the responsibility to meet the needs of the masses. He explained that good governance ensures that corruption is minimised, views of the minority considered and the voices of the most vulnerable in the society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of the society.
Itanyi said good governance has notable characteristics such as accountability, transparency, rule of law, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and participation.
“Good governance requires consultation to understand the different interests of stakeholders in order to reach a broad consensus. And this is achieved in a sustainable and prudent manner.
“This is where the church has to play an important role. This is because every nation needs God and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Itanyi said.
Also delivering a paper titled, “Facets and Ramifications of the Corruption Cankerworm on the Body Polity and the Sinews of the Country,” Prof. Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokolo, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, evaluated the implications of corruption for humans, particularly Nigerians. He further advocated a change of values by educating the people on the need to embrace ideals that transcend life.
The university don outlined the various forms of corruption ravaging the nation at different levels to include petty corruption, grand corruption, systemic or endemic corruption, political corruption, police corruption, judicial corruption, corruption in labour unions, among others.
“If we can change the human nature that has enthroned corruption, which is a social virus that has crept into all our institutions, including schools that ought to serve as a good example, then we are near to stemming the tide of corruption,” Chukwuokolo asserted.
He, however, expressed optimism that the church would hold crusades against corruption in order to “avert more trouble in our society, adding that most people believe that crimes such as terrorism, armed robbery etc emanate from reactionary tendencies against political corruption.”
“Where do we go with unbridled and primitive accumulation of wealth?” he asked, and advised Nigerians to re-evaluate their values since they know where the problems are coming from.
Culled From Sunday Trust
No comments:
Post a Comment