Cleric Expresses Worry Over Nigeria’s External Borrowing

A clergyman and the Presiding Bishop of the Dominion Chapel International Churches, Bishop John Praise, has expressed concerns over the future of Nigeria’s economy with the continuous external borrowing.
He said that it was not clear when these borrowed funds will be repaid, given the rate money was being stolen, squandered and mismanaged in the country.
Praise expressed this fear in an interview with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa on Monday.
“When we talk about the economy in this country, everybody needs to have food on their tables. The future of Nigeria has been mortgaged with the continuous external borrowing.
“We do not know when they will pay back these debts. We are only trusting God and praying that the economy recuperates and become better “, he said.
On the religious intolerance and the killing of the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michigan, Adamawa State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Praise who is also a National Executive member of CAN, said anybody was free to worship what he chose without force or molestation in Nigeria.
“What we need in Nigeria now is prayers for God to deliver us from all the problems we see now, especially the killings. Government keeps saying that Boko Haram had been conquered, but we cannot see that.
“Any government that can not protect lives and property has no need of being there, because the primary purpose of government is to protect the people.
“Why do government prefer foreigners than our own people? We allow foreigners to invade and kill us in this country. There can not be peace where equity, fairness and justice do not exist.
“Now in this country, before you get a job or promotion, people will want to know the religion that you belong to before they can help you. This ought not to be”, he said.
Praise who is also a member of the Nigeria’s Inter Religious Council which is made up of 25 Christians and 25 Muslims as key leaders, however, urged government to live up to expectations and obey the rule of law, just like in the late Yar’dua’s administration.