Bishop Laments Nigeria’s Backward Slide 64 Years After Independence

Bishop of the Methodist Diocese of Kano, Bishop Ibrahim Chindo, has expressed regrets that 64 years after independence, the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers have been dashed.

According to Chindo, things have deteriorated so badly over the last 64 years of Nigeria’s Independence.

Chindo’s message was delivered at the Diocese conference with the theme: “Arise And Build.”

Bishop Chindo, who said many leaders have deviated from the fear of God, said when Nigeria gained independence 64 years ago, there was great hope that the nation of immense potential in both human and natural resources would become a leading light on the African continent and the world as a whole.

“Not only had the leadership of the newly independent country promised that they would leverage on the religious and ethnic diversities of the country to push for its overall development, the citizenry was excited that, at last, with the exit of the colonial masters, the new air of freedom would herald a new dawn of prosperity.

“However, the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians were short-lived as the military struck on January 15, 1966. Since that day, Nigeria has never been the same as corruption, nepotism, tribalism and favoritism along religious lines have become the order of the day.

“Today, most unfortunately, things appear to have changed very little. In fact, it can be safely said that things have deteriorated so badly over the last 64 years that Nigerians are now facing some of the most frightening challenges in the entire history of the country.

“Today, from the north to the south, from the east to the west, citizens live in fear and apprehension. Islamist terrorists, kidnappers for ransom, bandits, herdsmen and sundry criminal elements are having a field day.

„The military, police and other state security apparatus appear to have been overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of these bloody criminal gangs that are unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens,“ Chindo said, worrying that only recently, the father of five girls kidnapped by a criminal gang had to source funds through social media to pay ransom for them.

„Sadly, one of them was not lucky enough as she was murdered in cold blood,“ the bishop said, adding that farmers have to pay levies and taxes to bandits and terrorists to access their farms.

„Governments seem to have abandoned their foremost constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of their citizens. They have left huge ungoverned spaces which these criminals have promptly occupied,“ he said.