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Nigeria Is A Failed State, Says Methodist Synod …As Baptist Convention Expresses Sadness Over Unemployment
Following the findings in the 17th Annual Diocesan Synod, 2019 of the Methodist Church Nigeria, presented by Rt Rev. Biereonwu Livinus Onuagha to the members at Wesley Methodist Church, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, the church yesterday declared Nigeria a failed State.
According to Bishop Onuagha, “the cardinal duties of any government are to provide security of lives and properties which the Nigerian government has failed to do from East to West, North to South of Nigeria the security situation is nothing to write home about.
Kidnappings, Boko Haram insurgency and the activities of Fulani herdsmen are some of the indices that justify our position that Nigeria is a failed state.
The mayhem causaed by these developments in the nation cannot be over-emphasised. “The most recent and newest problem now is the banditry in Zamfara State. With all these criminal activities at hand, where is this nation heading to? Can our economy improve when we do not have security of lives and properties in place? Remain apolitical, focus on ideals of the founding fathers; group urges Ohaneze
“One of the most daring challenges in the nation is also the issue of selective judgement. In Nigeria it is glaring that cases are not treated on merit, government chose those to face the wrath of the law and those not to face the wrath of the law, government chose the law to obey and the ones not to obey.
“Certain political party has become a hiding place for certain corrupt politicians with the idea, that once you belong to that political party, your sins are forgiven, but whoever that does not belong to that political party will always have his life troubled.”
On the recently concluded general elections in Nigeria, the cleric said “the political class had shown they were not prepared for anything, the elections took almost the budget of all the States in the federation put together with nothing impressive coming out of the exercise.”
“The failure of the academics in the elections left so much to be desired, and if education failed in a State, the conclusion is that the State had become moribund. In the last election, almost all the University Professors were sell-out.
“For me, there is no need to conduct elections in Nigeria. Let the National Assembly as a matter of urgency legislates on the number of political parties to exist in Nigeria. In my own personal opinion, two party state will subsist.
“Let these parties work to produce the best candidates whenever there is need for change of government, and credible candidates may emerge. This will save a lot cost,”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has said it is dismayed by the inability of government to tame the monster of unemployment across the states of the federation.
It said the consequence of the failure to get the youths engaged in productive activities with the country manifests is the root cause of the current insecurity in the country.
This position was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the 106th Annual Session of the Christian denomination and bloc of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The communiqué which was signed by the Chairman of the Resolution and Communique Committee, Prof. S. AkinloluFagbemiPh.D, Esq, reads: “There is a need therefore for government to totally overhaul our school curricular with a view to focussing on entrepreneurial training of our youths.
“It should also create conducive environment such as soft loan to young graduates to start businesses of their own. The government must also focus on providing infrastructural facilities in order to overcome rising unemployment among the youths and their over reliance on white collar jobs.”
Decrying the current state of insecurity, the Convention called on both the Federal Government and the security agencies to rise up to the situation before it’s too late.
“It is an understatement to say that there are security challenges in Nigeria today. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that our law enforcement agencies appear helpless.
“Premised on the foregoing, we implore the Federal Government to uphold the sanctity of lives and protection of properties of Nigerians by leaving no stone unturned in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and their sponsors at all levels; intensifying efforts to secure the release of Leah Sharibu and other people in the custody of Islamic Terrorist Groups; equipping and empowering our Law Enforcement Agencies to enable them tackle the security challenges in our nation,” the communiqué read.
On the state of governance, the Baptist Church condemned interference of political parties in the coming election of the next leadership of the National Assembly at the expense principle of separation of power among the three organs of government.
“We therefore call on both government, especially the executive and other Nigerians to stop putting undue pressure on members of the National Assembly and allow members to elect their leaders without external influences.
“We insist that in the election of the principal officers in the National Assembly, the principle of Federal Character and equal representation of major religions in the country should be followed,” it stated.
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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