Nigeria needs determination and constant prayers to prevent breaking up from the existing cracks in the walls of the country, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said.
This is how he referred to the biblical story of how Nehemiah repaired the destroyed walls of Jerusalem.
The Vice President, who was joined by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made a call to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th anniversary of independence at the National Ecumenical Center in Abuja on Sunday.
“Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken but there are obvious cracks that could lead to a break if not properly addressed.
“Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls because wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It signifies the essence of the state of the nation.
“There’s an urgent need for a Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria, today. And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desires to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer opposition which will come in torrents. It can only be diffused by consistent focus and prayers,” he said.
While hoping that the 60th anniversary of independence will signal a rebirth in Nigeria, Mr. Osinbajo noted that no group is more prepared for the challenge than the religious bodies.
For his part, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Samson Ayokunle, stressed the need for justice which, he said, would bring unity , harmony and love.
“For us all to be on the same page, have a sense of belonging and be happy, the doctrine of equality, that is equal access to employment, governance and education, must be available to all. The principle of inclusivity must be adopted. Nobody or region must be excluded from the scheme of things in Nigeria.”
Mr Osinbajo’s call comes around two weeks after the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said Nigeria was slowly becoming a collapsed, divided state.
The ex-president, who said he had never seen the country in such a bad shape, blamed the country’s current situation on the poor management of the diversity of the nation.
Although he also warned against the call for war and secession, Mr Obasanjo said that for Nigeria to successfully resolve its problems, the issue of disunity must first be addressed.
Mr Obasanjo was attacked by the President and the President’s aides for his statement.