Ekwueme Decries Calls For Sovereign National Confab

Nigeria’s former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme has rejected calls by some politicians for a Sovereign National Conference.

Dr Ekwueme bared his mind at a special mass to mark the 10th anniversary of the ordination of the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The former VP believed that the present crop of leaders in the country were capable of tackling the numerous social, economic and political problems confronting the nation.

According to him,” at a time like this, we ought to cooperate with our leaders by shunning those things that create insecurity, but emphasise on the oneness of the country and the need to fear God in all we do”.

The celebrant, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, while expressing gratitude to thousands of people who attended the special mass urged Nigerians to devote their resources for the nation’s economic prosperity.

“We should shun bombings, kidnapping and other violence that are not helping our dream of building a prosperous, as well as tourist and educationally attractive country,” Okeke said.

“I have been chanced to travel to countries and have found out that they were able to overcome their climatic and weather conditions and had made their countries conducive places to reside.

“We can still do same through been productive and using our God-given initiatives to beautify our place, create social security, up-grade our education and bring lasting peace to our country,” he said.

In a  message  to the occasion, Gov. Peter Obi, thanked the archbishop for his contributions to the peace and progress of Anambra and the country in general.

Obi, whose message was delivered by his wife, Mrs Margaret Obi, gave assurance that government would continue to partner with the Church to uplift the status of its people and find solutions to the challenges facing the state.

“My husband, Gov. Peter Obi, wants everyone to continue to pray for peace in the country and beseech God to continue to strengthen our ties as a nation,” she said.

Over 10 bishops and 100 priests from within and outside the archdiocese attended the mass.

Other dignitaries are: Sen Chris Ngige, Chief Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman and Igw Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi Kingdom.