Time for Buhari to address conflicts as a civilian president – Msgr Ukah
Human rights enthusiast, renowned counselor and people’s priest, Monsignor Livinus Ukah, is the pastoral head of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, the famous Ero Family, Aboru, via Iyana-Ipaja in Lagos. At the NineteenthSunday in Ordinary Time Year (C) Mass, the motivator and societal conflict resolutionist worried about the nature of people who aspire to leadership positions.
“The world as we know it today is divorced from the path of truth and rightful thinking, leaving in its wake immorality, lack of purposeful living and spiritual backwardness,” he began, stressing that when people have an anomaly in their character, it has a way of robbing off on the general public.
“Societies, Communities, and Institutions should beware of such negative influences of some of her members. Some can carry with them their unresolved problems into the society while seeking leadership position into the same society. They use the society as their dumping grounds for their hostility, which they employ to fight perceived enemies.”
One of the highlights of the mass was the celebration of members of the Mission Childhood Association (MCA) who excelled at the just concluded National Music Festival at Nsukka, Enugu state. Clad in their bright yellow over black uniforms, the children were awarded a gold chain bearing the image of the cross each and treated to a feast after mass later in the afternoon.
In a chat with ThePhenomenon after mass, Monsignor Ukah revealed that the MCA is not a local programme but one ordained by the international body of the Church.
“The Mission Childhood Association tradition started from Rome and we are encouraged all over the world to have it in our chapters, in our dioceses and parishes, so we have our own here. Every Saturday, we have breakfast with the children and some good people donate bread, fruits and the likes for the occasion.”
But the MCA, under the ministration of the parish priest, metamorphosed to something more spiritual and meaningful.
“Women looking for the fruit of the womb come to our programme every Saturday, because they have come to know that children’s prayers to God are answered very fast, so when they come, they bring something to motivate the children.
”About three or four women have been blessed with children through the prayers of this young group, and more are on the line.”
The monsignor commended one of the good people of God, Prince Nwakaego, who bought a 60 inches plasma television and projector among other things for the group as a way to motivate the children.”
ThePhenomenon gathered that the MCA chapter was in a dormant state when Ukah was posted here in 2014. “The Chapter was here, but it was not moving, so when I came, I resuscitated it and it became active and attractive.”
That set have grown up and out of the range now because the age bracket ranges from 10 to 16. When they grow out of that range, they graduate to the adult fellowship called Young Christian Workers (YCW).
State of the nation
Reflecting on the state of the nation after Mass, the conflict resolution expert frowned at the military-militant muscle flexing going on in the nation.
“Military action against the militants is not the answer to the problem; get them together and let them understand that we are Nigerians, and what God has given us should be shared with others; but govt should try not to molest them because what comes from their ground belongs to them naturally.
“The oil companies should know that the land and water those people depend upon should be cared for and not polluted. It is on record that neither government nor the oil companies have done that, so they should try to correct the ills of the past.
It is because these had not been addressed and the people have seen that they are not even trying to do that, so they resort to what they think is a legitimate action to react. It is okay to react but they should not do that with guns and bombs, destroying national infrastructures.
“On the other hand, government should not allow the oil companies to exploit the people the more. These things can be resolved through dialogue provided government shows convincing and genuine intent to right the wrongs of the past.”
To President Muhammadu Buhari, the priest has this to say: “Mr. President should understand and show he has a humane heart. He is a civilian president now, not a military one. In today’s world, conflicts are no longer solved with guns, but through discussion, dialogue.
“Agreed there are so many fragments of them now, but the truth is that the agitators don’t trust the government; when they begin to see the positive action of the government and the oil companies instead of hostility, they will hold their peace and opt for dialogue.
“Food and security are political tools; once they know that what belongs to them is coming, they will calm down. I don’t think they want war without end. They are also asking for convincing solution on the part of the government, not matching them gun with gun. I am not saying that the way they are going about asking for attention and solution is good, but let two wrongs not be expected to make a right.
