Christian Group backs restructuring; says resolution of economic crisis will stop agitations

The Nigerian Christian Fellowship (NCGF), an umbrella body of Christian graduates, has opined that a quick and sincere resolution of the economic crisis ravaging the country is a solution to the myriad of political agitations across Nigeria.
It has also thrown its weight behind calls for restructuring of the socio-economic and political strands of the nation as a panacea to peace and stability of the nation.
President of the Fellowship, Professor Charles Adisa, said at the opening of the 42nd annual conference of the fellowship in Port Harcourt, Rivers State: “We chose to isolate the economic issue out of the myriads of national challenges for discussion (at the conference) because it is our considered view that behind the socio-political challenges, the economic factor is the last straw that can make or mar the fragile polity. And if the economy is fixed and the operators run our systems with sincerity to the benefit of the citizenry, much of the agitations in the polity will fizzle out with time.
“There is no doubt that what triggered the current political agitations threatening to  disintegrate the nation is the collapse of the economy which has increased the unemployment rate, threw spanner in the growth of business and denied workers their means of livelihood coupled with seeming non-listening posture of government. These and other factors have made the youths to become ready tools in the hands of professional trouble makers.”
Adisa expressed confidence that God is able to turn around the nation if Nigerians are willing to take the necessary steps under God to ensure the restoration of both the economy and the politics of the nation.
He observed that the present experience was not unique to Nigeria, adding that biblical history is fraught with times of famine, drought and political upheavals.
“Nations that accepted God’s guidance and took to the path of justice and equity by putting round pegs in round holes overcame their challenges. Example is ancient Egypt which survived economic hard times by going for the best instead of mediocrity. Even in modern times, there have been several world economic recessions with some nations terribly hit. It took determination, humility and sincerity of purpose by the use of available intellectual endowment without bias to steer such nations from the economic doldrums.”
He cited the example of Singapore which employed thiis priciple to become an economic power to reckon with.
Adisa explained that the situation informed why the NCGF invited world-class economists, with proven experience in economic policy formulation and implementation as resource persons to its economic forum, which is holding at the conference, to proffer solutions to the intractable economic challenges.
“We are confident that if suggestions are implemented the economy will bounce back. This on its own has the ability to cause a spiral effect whereby the improved economy will guarantee food on tables of Nigerians. The available food will check hunger, whereby the hungry man will no longer be angry; but rational in thinking and responding to calls for disintegration.”
He however cautioned that other issues fueling the embers of disintegration should be discussed and dealt decisively with.
According to him, the fellowship solidly backs the calls for restructuring of the socio-economic and political strands of the nation as a panacea to peace and stability of the nation.
Said he: “The present structure that has lent itself to injustice, marginalization, and enthronement of mediocrity, tribalism, nepotism and religious bigotry cannot guarantee the sustainability of the nation. “It has become obvious that any seeming panacea that does not contain the ingredients of justice, equity and fairness cannot assuage the present hunger for restructuring. Government and the ruling party are advised to place the survival of the nation above partisan and sectional interest by acceding to restructuring.”
He drew attention to the dangerous trend of “bastardising the educational system with humanistic and other religioud indoctrination of the basic educational curriculum adding that it was an ill wind that would damage the fabric of the nation more than political domination.
“A situation where the moral fabric of the nation is being eroded by the systematic sexualisation of our minors spells doom to the nation. Similarly, the deliberate and surreptitious enthronement of one religion, above others in a multi religious society through the educational curricula amounts to planting a time bomb that will blow the nation an ill wind.”
He reiterated the Fellowship’s position that the two religions of Christianity and Islam should be returned to pre current curriculum position in the educational system.
The NCGF thanked the Federal government and all the relevant agencies for heeding its call to return Christian religious studies to its former status as an independent stand alone subject.
However, it called on the Federal government and the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) to desist from plans to foist a foreign language (Arabic language) as a compulsory course to be taken by undergraduate students in 12 different management /accounting disciplines in Universities.
“This to us amounts to the promotion of one religion /foreign language at the expense of others. This is unacceptable,” Adisa stated.
Featured Photo: NCGF officials with House of Representatives member, Hon. Beni Lar; and former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, at the annual conference in Port Harcourt.