Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo has warned that Nigeria may break up if efforts are not made to address the “existing cracks.”
He said efforts to mend the cracks may be opposed, but such opposition would be defeated with focus and consistent prayers, Punch reports.
The vice president gave the warning at an interdenominational church service in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary on Sunday, September 27, 2020.
Osinbajo was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the National Ecumenical Centre, where the anniversary service was held.
Referencing the biblical story of how Nehemiah championed the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem, Osinbajo said:
“The story should be a challenge to every Christian in Nigeria. It’s only that kind of Nehemiah’s love that will make us, as Nigerians, to rebuild the cracks we have in our walls today.
“For us in Nigeria, Nehemiah should be taken as a metaphor for those Nigerians who either reside in Nigeria or outside, to cry to God to use the abandoned opportunities in Nigeria to address our challenges of nation-building.
“Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken, but there are apparent cracks that could lead to a break if not adequately addressed.
“Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls because the wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It represents 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.”
The Vice-President, however, expressed optimism that the 60th Independence anniversary could herald a rebirth in Nigeria, saying “no group is more prepared for this task than our religious bodies.”
KanyiDaily recalls that a Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has called for the break up of Nigeria over alleged dominance of northern Muslims.
