A church leader said there might be no peace if a section of the country is marginalised religiously, politically or socio-economically.
Church leaders numbering not less than 120 across denominations within the South-East have proffered solutions to lingering security and other challenges in the country.
The clerics spoke at a Consultative Peace Summit organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and held in Enugu on Saturday.
The Church leaders advocated fair representation of zones in government, non-selective justice and improved border security as a panacea to lasting peace and unity in the country.
Speaking, Bishop Goddy Okafor, Chairman, Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-East, said that the summit was a right step in the right direction, adding, “no nation can make progress in an atmosphere of chaos’’.
“I call on all to follow the path of peace for all of us to make progress as well as join the government to fight all forms of challenges against peace in the country,’’ Mr. Okafor charged.
Contributing, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church Circuit, Abia, noted that there might be no peace if there was injustice and marginalisation of any section of the country religiously, socio-economically and politically.
Also speaking Rev. Okechukwu Obiora, Pastor of Living Word Outreach International, Onitsha, urged both Federal and state governments to do more on youth engagement and empowerment via skill acquisition.
“I believe the violence and vices in the zone can be checked if almost all our youths will be gainfully employed and there is no idle person within communities in the zone,’’ Mr. Obiora said.
Pastor Nkechi Nnamani, with the Assembly of Love and Charity Ministries, Enugu, advocated development of the country to create more socio-economic and healthy competition among the various zones.
Mrs. Nnamani also called on the government at all levels to give women more slots and visibility in the political space; while urging all to support the girl-child education and empowerment of women in general.
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said that from issues discussed, the commission would make necessary recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari, “who as a father will look into them all’’.
Mr. Pam said that recommendations that needed instant implementation would be done while the process of kick-starting those that would take longer time will also take place.
“The Church leaders in the South-East have vehemently raised issues of social injustice; lack of adequate representation in appointive positions in government among others,” the executive secretary reiterated.
(NAN)
