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General News of Sunday, 11 December 2022

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria not in total anarchy - Onaiyekan

Cardinal John Onaiyekan Cardinal John Onaiyekan

Following the level of insecurity and other negative happenings, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has said that Nigeria is not yet qualified to be called a failed state as referred to by many.

Onaiyekan said he does not believe that Nigeria has reached the level of a failed state or that Nigeria will reach the level of a failed state.

Presenting a keynote address at the 70th Anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) (Pyrates Confraternity), in Abuja the Catholic Bishop said he cannot say that everything is bad in Nigeria.

He said: “But having said all the above, I cannot say that everything is all bad with our nation. Many people, especially foreigners have been predicting that Nigeria will soon become a failed state.

“I do not believe that we have reached that stage nor do I think that we shall reach that stage any time soon. The flag of the nation is still flying even though it is dirty and tattered.

“I am saying this because basic institutions are still functioning even though not at an optimal level. A bad or weak government is better than no government at all. I do not believe we have reached a state of total anarchy.”

Onaiyekan further explained that Nigeria still has a police force and armed forces and other security agents, once in a while performing their duties.

He said there is the proverbial Nigerian resilience, constantly managing to survive under conditions that would appear unbearable.

“We must not forget the many Nigerians who are working hard to plug the holes and fill the gaps left by bad governance. Most of them continue to do their duty with little or no recognition or reward. I believe these are those who are still keeping the rickety system standing.

“We are hearing very wonderful news about our citizens abroad in the diaspora. They are easily now our most important foreign resources and assets, despite our just concerns about brain drain.” FOLLOWING the level of insecurity and other negative happenings, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has said that Nigeria is not yet qualified to be called a failed state as referred to by many.

Onaiyekan said he does not believe that Nigeria has reached the level of a failed state or that Nigeria will reach the level of a failed state.

Presenting a keynote address at the 70th Anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) (Pyrates Confraternity), in Abuja the Catholic Bishop said he cannot say that everything is bad in Nigeria.

He said: “But having said all the above, I cannot say that everything is all bad with our nation. Many people, especially foreigners have been predicting that Nigeria will soon become a failed state.

“I do not believe that we have reached that stage nor do I think that we shall reach that stage any time soon. The flag of the nation is still flying even though it is dirty and tattered.

“I am saying this because basic institutions are still functioning even though not at an optimal level. A bad or weak government is better than no government at all. I do not believe we have reached a state of total anarchy.”

Onaiyekan further explained that Nigeria still has a police force and armed forces and other security agents, once in a while performing their duties.

He said there is the proverbial Nigerian resilience, constantly managing to survive under conditions that would appear unbearable.

“We must not forget the many Nigerians who are working hard to plug the holes and fill the gaps left by bad governance. Most of them continue to do their duty with little or no recognition or reward. I believe these are those who are still keeping the rickety system standing.

“We are hearing very wonderful news about our citizens abroad in the diaspora. They are easily now our most important foreign resources and assets, despite our just concerns about brain drain.”