Matriarch of the Word of Life Bible Church and wife of the immediate past National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor (Mrs) Helen Oritsejafor, on Saturday called for national dialogue on the challenges threatening the peace and unity of Nigeria.
According to her, Nigeria is comparable to a marriage relationship, saying the country will find peace through robust communication among the governed as well as the government.
Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had called for a national conference to discuss the issues threatening the security of the nation.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Oritsejafor noted that America and Europe uncovered solutions to their problems through national conferences and dialogues.
She also said Nigeria’s problems of today are the products of undiscussed grievances of the past.
“Like in marriages, the greatest challenge we face, as a nation, today is poor communication. Like couples, Nigerians must never economise dialogue. Two or more people coming together will definitely carry their varied perspectives to life into the relationships
“A lot of the happening today, if not expressed through dialogue, will pose problems tomorrow. America and Europe went through periods of severe challenges to their nationhood. But a time came when the people sat together and said among themselves ‘something must be done’.
“We need to sit down and talk as a people and find a way to bring peace to our country and work to meaningful development to the people.
“I believe the Nigerian boat will not sink if we all work towards meaningful development of this country and avoid the things that divide us and dwell more on the things that unite us as a nation,” the cleric said.
She further likened Nigeria to a family setting; saying the real problems confronting the nation were a reflection of the troubles in the homes.
According to her, “What we see as Nigeria’s fragile state is about economics. It is about meeting needs and being able to keep the homes in order financially. The homes in this country are troubled and this has had a ripple effect on the society. The nation is a larger family.”
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