Nigerians have been advised to join forces with the government in addressing security challenges, including kidnapping and destruction of crops and lives by herdsmen and their cattle in parts of the country.
The call was made at the Bishop’s Charge delivered at the second session of the Seventh Synod by the Lord Bishop of Ibadan South Diocese, the Right Reverend Akintunde Popoola.
He said Nigerians had roles to play in tackling the security issues in the country, which had become worrisome lately.
Popoola noted that it was time people, especially in the rural communities used the fertile land left uncultivated, as well as ranch their cattle for better results of productivity.
“Cattle grazing routes cannot be the answer as our population continues to grow and family lands continue to be Balkanized. Even the idea of gazing reserves cannot be legislated without adequate consideration, relocation and resettlement of those who are presently farming on whichever land is to be acquired.
“Unlike the herdsmen, these farmers are not nomadic and to forcibly take away their source of livelihood is just creating a societal nuisance for the future. If the plan, however, is to frustrate them to relocate by regular destruction of crops, kidnapping and killings, then we are in for an unending tribal conflagration in the nearest future,” he added.
Speaking on the importance of the synod, the Provost of the Cathedral of St. David’s Kudeti, Akin Alalade Ayinla, noted that the event was a remarkable one as it was a revelation to many in the church and Christian body at large.
“We appreciate God for the success of the event. We are confident that it will boost the development of the church, as well as every department and individuals. Importantly, I want to urge everyone to be God-fearing in all their endevours and to be mindful of the fact that it is God that put them in any position they found themselves,” he stated.
The synod with the theme: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty and the kingdom forever, which was held for four days, featured a thanksgiving survive at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Odo-Ona, last Sunday.
The church was filled to the brim with dignitaries from all walks of life and members of the church from various dioceses.
In his words, the Venerable Idowu Ogunrinde also charged the newly inaugurated government at the federal and state levels to cultivate the habit of continuity in their governance.
“The new government, especially in Oyo State should not jettison the works of their processors. Ongoing project should not be abandoned. I also want to urge them to make security matter a priority, because this is the only way Nigeria can experience absolute peace, ” he added.
In her remarks, the chairperson of this year’s synod, Mrs Bola Kuti, expressed her delight on the success of the synod, adding that, the event, was a moment to reconnect with God, as well as sought for God’s intervention for the unity and progress of the country.
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