Osinbajo to speak at Lagos conference, Oct. 27

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is expected at a colloquium in Lagos on Oct. 27, to answer questions to be raised by Nigerians on a range of national issues.

The convener of the conference, tagged “Greater Nigeria Pastors’ Conference’’, Pastor Yomi Kasali, made the announcement at a news conference on Monday in Lagos.

Kasali, who was the Director-General of the Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in the 2015 presidential election, said that the vice-president would take questions from a cross-section of Nigerians on some crucial issues.

He said the forum would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to rob minds with Osinbajo, with a view to charting a road map on how to resolve some national issues.

Kasali said that it was imperative for the church to get involved in building a nation, where every citizen or group would get a fair deal.

“The church in Nigeria has not played its role well in addressing most of the challenges faced by Nigerians.

“Our problem in Nigeria is not ethnic or tribal. Our major problem is corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country, including the church.

“This administration has been fair in the fight against corruption but the rot in the system was under-estimated.

“There is so much cover-up going on in Nigeria and we cannot continue this way. We must all join to fight it together or lose the fight.”

The cleric said that although he was not happy with strides so far made by the current administration, there was urgent need for the church to take a position and join the fight to take the country to where it should be.

“I was one of those who worked for the change in Nigeria. I still see a greater Nigeria ahead.”

Kasali said there was need for the Federal Government to set up an anti-corruption court, charged solely with cases of corruption.

“Such a court should have clergy men as members.

“There must be deterrent and punishment for the fight against corruption to be effective.

“The name-and-shame initiative should be applied to the letter by the Federal Government.”

According to him, until Nigeria takes care of corruption, nothing will work.

Our correspondent reports that also expected at the event are Bishop Mike Okonkwo of the The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, Director-General of the Institute of National Transformation, among other dignitaries.