Oba Charts Path To Nation Building

Former two-time chairman of Rivers State Council of Trditional Rulers and the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland, Sir Chukwumela Nnam Obi II, has advised Nigerians to “shun unwholesome and earthly pursuits that regrettably becloud the real essence  of Christmas  and undertake some sincere soul-searching to find out what contributions we have made or can make towards the rejuvenation of our beleaguered country.”

In his yuletide message, the foremost traditional ruler regretted that today, inspite of all our human contributions, Nigeria’s outlook remains largely uncheerful with the political climate unstable and our economic mood, gloomy.”

He noted that though the nation wears the superficial mask of pious and humane collectivity, going by the numerous places of worship in our midst, religious intolerance, hypocrisy and bigotry are gradually destroying the very spiritual fabric of our nation.

To him, it is as if “we are irredeemably committed to the much dreaded path of Armageddon, as we had failed to learn from the spiritual values eloquently and demonstrably advocated by Christ himself.”

Oba Nnam Obi II stated that there was indeed a lot to be learnt from the practical lessons of peace, humility and service taught by Christ, and applicable to our individual roles in these trying times.

He said that since it was not ordained by God that Nigeria should suffer perpetually from economic travails and political adversity, especially with “the Boko Haram terror and the delicate issue of petroleum subsidy withdrawal, it was left for Nigerians to exploit and utilise the reservoir of wisdom inherent in the teachings of Jesus Christ, in order to usher in a new lease of life for our nation.”

Insisting that there is a “crying need for a strong, moral and spiritual re-awakening in our country and the sincere re-dedication of our energies to the service of our fatherland,” the monarch urged “christians and non-christians alike to answer the patriotic call to national duty by promoting those virtues preached by Christ, and which are sure to engender true national development in our land.”