CLERIC SPITS FIRE, REVEALS ACTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS THAT ARE WORSE THAN WITHCRAFT

An Asaba based cleric, Pastor John Omoruyi has expressed a total disappointment at the spate with which public funds are being mismanaged by some individuals entrusted with them. 

Omoruyi, the pastor of House on the Rock, Asaba, said looting public treasury is morally wrong and worse than the heinous activities of "witches and wizards", calling on culprits to urgently retrace their steps for the benefit of all Nigerians. 

Speaking at the first annual convention of a Non-Governmental Organization, Young Elites with Initiative and Entrepreneurship Mind of Nigeria (YEIEMN), held in Asaba, Delta State, the cleric said Nigeria is grappling with basic developmental challenges because the family, church and school system which are the primary foundation of good morality have woefully failed. 

He described morals as the "standards or rules of behaviour considered acceptable or right by most people", observing that no country can "come into prominence without a good moral foundation". 

Pastor Andrew Omoruyi

"The main problem of our government today is not corruption but insensitivity to good morals. When good standards are not followed, many unexplainable issues will arise. 

"It is unfortunate that many people can conveniently divert funds meant for public use. A public officer gets a 50 million naira worth contract only to give out five million naira to the contractor and keeps the rest for himself.

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"The roads are left in bad states and people die through accidents. Those who mismanage project funds are worse than witches and wizards because the deaths caused by accident is worse than the evil caused by witchcraft", Omoruyi maintained. 

He argued that leadership has transcended the wielding of influence over others, insisting that the first step to effective leadership is the ability to manage and control oneself. 

"It will be extremely difficult for us to be fully develop as a country because virtually all our leaders have no good morals. The major unit of standard in Nigeria has become money. A young child returns home with certain things yet the parents won't question him.

"Even the church has failed; it is now more concerned about tithes and offerings and sowing of mango seed, guava seed and all kinds of seeds. Pastors are sent for overseas training yet the children are not adequately cared for.

A cross section of participants at the event. 

"The school system is not excusable. More than 75 per cent of teachers in our school system today are not supposed to be there. Only 25 per cent are doing the right thing, how then can they impact the needed knowledge on them?", he added. 

Another resource person at the event, Barr. Andrew Odum noted that there is the urgent need for the fiscal restructuring of Nigeria in a way that states and local governments will have more say in the control of resources domicile in their domain. 

Odum also called on youths to be actively involved in the politics and governance of the country and also craved for the urgent review of the Nigerian constitution.

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Earlier, the founder and President of the organization, Initiator Emmanuel Ubitule explained that the convention tagged "Revolutionalizing the Mindset of the Nigerian Youth to Facing Contemporary Changes of our Modern Time" is aimed at redirecting the "unrealistic view" that the youths cannot make a positive difference if given leadership positions. 

Ubitule said "it was observed that our youths have lost what it takes to be bold, courageous and outstanding due to how and where we have positioned our thoughts and beliefs", calling on the youths to "key into positive involvements in our today's politics, become creators of job and uphold the true dignity and integrity of a Nigerian youth no matter the circumstances".

Meanwhile, an aide to one of the commissioners serving in the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has listed reasons the Governor should be given a second term.