Cleric Flays Political Leaders’ Greed

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 17.05.2008

THE Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. (Dr.) Michael Olusina Fape, has said that the nation has all it takes to provide social infrastructure for its citizenry, if the leaders can do away with greed and selfishness.

The cleric stated this on Friday while delivering the Presidential address at the First Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese of Remo, with the theme, “Obedience to the Commandments of God,” held at the Christ Anglican Church, Ode-Remo, Ogun State.

The bishop lamented that despite the huge amount of money expended on the power sector Nigerians were still groaning and suffering, because no noticeable difference had been witnessed.

“Indeed, we maintain again that the story of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is a very sad one. Since nothing can wash away the leopard’s spots, the mere changing of the name from NEPA to PHCN has not changed the characters of those working in that organisation.

“It is now clear that we don’t have committed leaders in Nigeria, and this is a major problem. It sounds very ridiculous that so much billions of dollars were spent and yet, no noticeable difference in our electricity,” he said.

Bishop Fape, therefore, urged members of the National Assembly not to rest on their oars in sanitising the nation, and restoring the nation back in the path of sound economic, social and political developments.

He also decried the bad state of the nation’s roads which he described as “mere death traps,” calling on President Umaru Yar’Adua to embark on comprehensive repairs of the roads.

The cleric also commended the governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, for consolidating on his first term achievements in the state.

In her short remark, the Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, described the theme of the Synod as a timely one, noting that the church had abandoned the laid down principles of Christianity to pursue things of the world.