In light of the ongoing protest that began on Thursday, August 1st, the Pastor in Charge of Region 46 in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Ola Adejubee has implored the government to prioritize the needs of its citizens.
Emphasizing the urgency of addressing the grievances of the people, Adejubee underscored the importance of government action before the situation escalates further. He stated that a proactive approach to addressing the needs of the populace is crucial for maintaining social harmony and preventing the eruption of crises.
The Assistant Continental Overseer, Training and Development (African Continent 2) in an interview with the BeautifulDay Testimonial asserted that safeguarding the welfare of the citizenry should be the primary concern of the government. He emphasized that access to basic necessities, is a fundamental human rights and not an unreasonable expectation for citizens to have of their government. He stressed that neglecting these basic needs can lead to discontent and social unrest, as evidenced by the current protests.
Pastor Adejubee states, “It is wrong for the government to govern without being sensitive to the needs of the people, this is a democracy and the government must regularly connect with the people, they shouldn’t wait until there is crisis before the local government chairman will begin to tell the people at the grassroots not to protest. They should be connected to the people and the welfare of the people should be their central focus, nobody is asking them not to enjoy the office they occupy, Nigerians are not asking for something big than making the basic things available.”
Reiterating the interdependent relationship between security and economic prosperity, the learned author observed that if the government were to successfully combat insecurity in the country, the agricultural sector and businesses would naturally flourish. He underscored the necessity of a holistic approach to governance, highlighting the importance of prioritizing security as a precondition for the growth and development of the economy.
The clergyman further advised the government to prioritize infrastructure development, specifically the maintenance and accessibility of roads. Citing international examples, he emphasized the crucial role that well-maintained and easily navigable roads play in fostering economic growth and development.
He noted: “Let there be security and naturally agriculture will flourish, business will flourish, let the road be passable. They can see how it is all over the world. Now that they are being called to give account, they should stand up and give account.”
While affirming the right of citizens to protest, Adejubee who is also the Pastor in charge of Region 46 cautioned protesters against resorting to violence in the course of expressing their grievances to the government. Drawing on historical examples, he recalled previous instances of peaceful protests in the country, even citing the participation of the current president in a protest at a previous time. His message was a call for restraint and non-violence, urging citizens to make their voices heard while maintaining the peace and dignity of their cause.
The clergyman underscored that destruction of property and violence are not viable means of achieving change and that instead, utilizing established channels of communication can be a more effective way to make one’s concerns and frustrations heard. He urged the protesters to channel their energy and determination into peaceful dialogue and activism, emphasizing that such methods are more likely to be heard and considered by those in positions of authority. He posited that a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue can be a powerful tool in fostering meaningful and long-lasting change.
In the Clergyman’s words: “The protesters shouldn’t be violence, we have seen protest in this nation before that were peaceful that even the current president participated in so why not, they have the right to protest but they don’t have the right to destroy anybody’s properties. I am in support of them making their minds known to the government; I am not in support of any form of destruction. Let them write, seek and occupy House of Assemblies, government houses, present letters, stay there for days until your demands are met.”
