Primate Wants FG To Organise Peace Talks

The Primate of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh,has urged the Federal Government to initiate a forum where interest groups and ethnic nationalities in the country would discuss peaceful co-existence.

Okoh made the call while addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra, last Thursday during the dedication of the Episcopal House of the Diocese on the Niger in Onitsha.

“We must fashion out a forum where we must discuss Nigeria and how to bring enduring peace and security of lives and property in the country; the country cannot be watching helplessly while the attack on Christians in the north continues unabated,’’ he said.

He noted that the forum should define terms of the mutual co-existence of the people and put an end to the provocative and unwarranted killings of innocent Christians in the country.

Okoh said the Boko Haram insurgency would only stop if everyone saw it as a challenge, adding that some key players should have done more than merely condemning the attacks on the pages of newspapers.

Also speaking, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, admonished Christians to remain prayerful and watchful, assuring that the current persecution against the church would be over soon.

Nwokolo said he was confident that Christians would come out victorious and stronger after the terrorist insurgency in the country.

On his part, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra said the state government would continue to collaborate with the church in providing social services to the people.

Obi thanked the Diocese on the Niger for its role in education and care for the needy in Onitsha as well as its co-operation with the government.

“We have gone far and done well considerably because you support us to build a successful and progressive state and I urge that we maintain the cordial relationship,’’ Obi said.