Nigeria's Vice President has warned that the country risks imminent breakup over existing cracks.
Yemi Osinbajo
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has raised the alarm that the country's unity is fragile as he warned that Nigeria may break up if efforts are not made to address the "existing cracks."
Osinbajo gave the warning while speaking at an interdenominational church service to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary on Sunday, September 27.
The Vice-President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the National Ecumenical Centre, where the anniversary service was held, said efforts to mend the crack might be opposed, but such opposition would be defeated with focus and consistent prayers.
Making reference to the biblical story of how Nehemiah championed the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem, Vice President Osinbajo said
“The story should be a challenge to every Christian in Nigeria. It’s only that kind of Nehemiah’s love that will make us, as Nigerians, to rebuild the cracks we have in our walls today.
For us in Nigeria, Nehemiah should be taken as a metaphor for those Nigerians who either reside in Nigeria or outside, to cry to God to use the abandoned opportunities in Nigeria to address our challenges of nation-building.
Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken, but there are apparent cracks that could lead to a break if not adequately addressed.
Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls because the wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It represents the essence of the state of the nation.
There’s an urgent need for a Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria, today. And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desires to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer opposition which will come in torrents. It can only be diffused by consistent focus and prayers.”