By Tony Adibe
The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Olisaemeka Chukwuma, has tasked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government on winning and ending war against Boko Haram, insurgency, banditry, corruption, and oil theft.
Chukwuma gave the tasked-on Sunday while delivery a homily at the Thanksgiving Service to mark 2023-Armed Forces Remembrance Week at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu. According to the Archbishop, it took the Nigeria military three years to end the civil war, but Boko Haram war had lingered longer and with its negative consequences to the country.
Archbishop Chukwuma said: “We have lost fighting men, who their wives are widows today; we have lost huge resources and our people are displaced in large numbers due to Boko Haram war. Today, insurgency, armed bandits and other forms of negative elements have continued to disturb various parts of the country; thus, making the people to feel insecure in their localities.
“Corruption among politicians and public office holders remains in the increase and they are stealing in mind-blowing manner. Added to all these is the recent oil theft that nearly brought government earnings to zero and subjected the country and her government to keep borrowing to remain afloat.
“In all these, I sincerely believe the Federal Government through our gallant military and exercising the will-power can win and end all these wars if we are committed and sincere to deal with them head long.”
He stated that Nigerians wanted rest and peace from the myriad of challenges that had confronted them all these years. The cleric said: “This is why we are earnestly praying and calling for a New Nigeria, where Nigerians will feel secured and call home. The forthcoming general elections remains critical to achieve this and returning the nation back to its lost glory.”
Archbishop Chukwuma, however, urged politicians to live exemplary lives like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and other first-generation politicians did. On the South-East, the cleric urged the Armed Forces, including the police and NSCDC, to end the retrogressive Monday Sit-at-Home in the region.
He further stated: “It is rather unfortunate that few hoodlums hold the entire region to ransome, even when the leader of the Biafra struggle had directed that it should be abolished. The people needed the armed forces to come out en mass and patrol the streets on Mondays and the people will regain the courage once more and before you know it Sit-at-Home will stop.”
Chukwuma, however, congratulated the Nigerian Legion, serving personnel of the armed forces, their wives as well as widows of fallen heros for all their sacrifices to the nation. In his speech, Maj-Gen. Umar Musa, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division, Enugu, said that “the thanksgiving service is necessary to remember our fallen heros, who fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country”.
Maj-Gen Musa, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. James Bambur, urged the serving officers and men to continue to serve selflessly with dedication and patriotism. “Those we are remembering today have served gallantly and left; and I pray that we currently in service will serve and one day we leave the stage for others,” he said.
The Assistant Commandant General (ACG) of Nigerian Legion, Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Igwesi said that the thanksgiving was to appreciate God for His mercies towards the fallen heroes, living heroes, widows of fallen heroes, their children and serving armed forces personnel. He said: “Sincerely speaking, the Federal Government has been paying the pension of retired armed forces personnel as when due without any hitch. We must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for this feat.”
