The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has challenged the northern elite to fix the economic, political, and security crisis in the region as a way of fixing the country’s problems.
Onaiyekan spoke yesterday in Abuja when the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, paid him a courtesy visit.
The cardinal commended LND for championing a northern renaissance and challenged them to inquire why there was so much poverty and insecurity in the northern states compared to the south of Nigeria. He emphasized that the progress of the north is essential for the progress of Nigeria as a whole.
Onaiyekan urged the northern elite to engage political leaders and address issues like out-of-school children and poor governance in the region. He emphasized the need for all regions to work together for the overall development of the country.
The cardinal also stressed the importance of harmonious relationships between Christians and Muslims in the north, citing the formation of the Nigerian inter-religious council during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as a step towards religious harmony.
Shekarau, on behalf of the League of Northern Democrats, shared their plans to reinvent the north and address issues of poverty and insecurity in the region. He emphasized that the group is non-partisan and focused on improving the economic situation in the northern states.
The Bishop visits highlighted the need for collective efforts to address the challenges facing the north and work towards a more stable and united Nigeria.