Nigeria is terribly sick, needs serious prayer ― Afenifere

A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has again expressed concern over the current economic and security crises confronting Nigeria and its people across the geopolitical zones, saying the situation calls for an immediate reverse to prevent degeneration.

The Lagos State chairman of the organisation, Chief Tunde Onakoya, expressed this concern, on Friday, shortly after the special prayers session for Nigeria at Anwar-Ul-Islam Movement Central Mosque, Ikorodu, Lagos, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the organisation.

The special Muslim prayers according to Onakoya, is a directive from the national body of Afenifere to be observed by Muslim members and well-wishers across states of the federation and the federal capital territory, on Friday, while their Christian counterparts observe theirs in churches, on Sunday, and also nationwide.

Speaking further through the Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Lagos State, Mr Lanre Anjolaiya, Chief Onakoya decried in strong terms, the spate of killings of innocent people, armed banditry, kidnappings and all sort of criminalities in almost all parts of the country, saying this ugly trend is not only unwarranted but totally condemnable.

He also said the high inflation and rising poverty in the country which have put many Nigerians in an untold hardship would need to be addressed.

While he noted that the calls by some sections of the country for secession from the rest was premature, he
advocated restructuring of the country along the paths of true federalism and resource control.

He also charged President Muhammadu Buhari to be more decisive in putting a permanent end to security challenges in the country, saying Nigeria can only move forward meaningfully in the atmosphere of peace and unity.

He, however, said Afenifere as a political rallying point and leading voice for Yoruba people would continue to champion the course of its creation 70 years ago.

According to him, Afenifere at inception was known for its progressive and social welfare programmes to make life worths living for all people living in the old western region and which later turned the region into a model of development and good governance for others.

“So, it is high time Yoruba came together again to imbibe the ethos of Afenifere for the good of the race and the country at large,” he stressed.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Imam of Anwar-Ul-Islam Movement Central Mosque, Alhaji Qasim Olalekan Olapade, said Afenifere was an enduring legacy bestowed upon the Yoruba nation.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the past leaders and other founding fathers of the organisation who he said made the Yoruba nation the pride of Africa till today.

While praying for today’s leaders, and for the unity, peace and progress of the country, the cleric enjoined Yoruba people to take a cue from the selflessness of past leaders and always be mindful of Yoruba cherished value of ‘Omoluabi'(good manner) in all their dealings.

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