By Samuel Oyejola
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has lashed out at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in the wake of the recent outburst and position of the catholic leadership on national issues with the Buhari-led government.
Mustapha said that religious leaders are expected to be repository of wisdom and knowledge and give directions to political leaders.
Giving his parting remarks after delivering President Buhari’s goodwill message to the bishops at the opening ceremony of the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Sunday, the SGF prayed that God would give Nigeria prophets of old to whom political leaders would inquire.
“The church of old was always the repository of wisdom, knowledge and direction for the king of old. When the rulers of old are in any doubt, they will say let us inquire of the prophets in the land of the direction to go. My prayer for Nigeria is that God will raise for us the prophets of old to whom the leaders would inquire”.
It would be recalled that catholic bishops had sent a delegation to the President with the message that his goodwill is fast depleting.
Earlier at the mass to declare open the conference, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan said that the government of President Buhari spends three years demonizing the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan at the expense of delivering the campaign promises to the people.
“Our present government came into power three years ago with a promise to change Nigeria for the better in all aspect. So far, government has spent so much time and energy demonizing its predecessor that it seems to have forgotten its promise of a better life for Nigerians,” Onaiyakan said.
Mustapha acknowledged the support of the Catholic Church to the socioeconomic development of the nation.
He said President Buhari promised to work on the recommendation of the bishops. He enjoined the bishops to encourage their congregation to follow in the footprint of the apostles who despite their spiritual vocation were also entrepreneurs.
“The church in Nigeria commands a large followership and we must leverage on the advantage by encouraging our teeming congregation to follow in the apostles’ footsteps in order to spearhead and start exploring new things, shake off the old and lead our nation into a better tomorrow.”
“The nations of old did not attain greatness until the church moved in the direction of greatness”.
He acknowledged the contribution of the church to education, healthcare services and philanthropic activities of the church in the country.
“The government is on its toes in addressing the series security challenges in recent past.” He promised that perpetrators of violent crimes would be made face the law.
“The federal government is taking steps and measures to stem the tides of insecurity in the country.
He enjoined the bishops to continue to promote peace and peaceful coexistence across the country.
