AS the nation continues to grapple with the growing insecurity challenge, occasioned by the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram religious extremists, the Bishop of Remo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Michael Olusina Fape, on Sunday, at Ikenne, said a responsible and proactive leadership remained the panacea for the gruesome killings and spate of bombings in the northern part of the country.

He said there was need for Nigerian leaders and top government functionaries to be more responsible and proactive in tackling issues and to give impetus to solving the societal and insecurity challenges, currently ravaging the nation.

Right Reverend Fape, who made this assertion, during the thanksgiving service for the dedication of HID Awolowo Anglican Church, which was held at Our Saviour's Anglican Church, Ikenne, contended that "the best way to stem the spate of insecurity and violence is for our leaders to exhibit more responsibility in the creation of jobs for our youths and adopt proactive measures to address the socioeconomic needs of the nation.”

According to him, "what we see happening in some parts of the country is a kind of reaction. At a time, it used to be militants from the South-South. The current problem is from the northern part of Nigeria. There was a serious neglect of the Niger Delta at that time, it resulted in militancy. The same thing we are witnessing in the North is as a result of irresponsible government for so many years."

Continuing, Right Reverend Fape stated that "if the needs of these young ones are taken care of, I want to believe that the kind of insecurity bedevilling  the nation today would be over. The only thing we are saying is that, let our government be responsible and responsive. They should make sure that the people who voted for them have value for their votes by providing infrastructure, essential services and other critical facilities which could make life worth living.

“Some youths, through open demonstration, are venting their anger on the nation. People may say probably religious intolerance is giving rise to insecurity, killings and other forms of violence. Yes, it may have religious undertone, but I still hold the view that it is a reaction. When there is reaction, there would be counter-reaction,” the cleric remarked.

While attributing insecurity in Nigeria to the carelessness of the nation’s leaders, Bishop Fape stated that “until something serious is done in that direction, there may be no respite. The moment we begin to take proactive actions and be more sensitive to the needs of the people, there would be peace and harmony among the various ethnic nationalities, regardless of their locations in the country.”

The service, which was attended by the matriarch of Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, among other eminent dignitaries, also witnessed the thanksgiving for the inauguration of Anglican Communion of Boys and Girls Brigade, Remo Diocese.

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