Date: 2018-03-26

Christians in the country have been called upon to reflect on the significance of the Easter season and intensify prayers for peace, unity and good governance.

Rt. Rev. Philip Adeyemo, Bishop in-charge of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral Church, Omu-Aran, Kwara, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran on Sunday.

The cleric said there was need for leaders and the citizenry to imbibe the virtues of discipline, trust, integrity and fear of God in the ongoing efforts to fight corruption and promote good governance.

Adeyemo said that the nation was presently on the path of greatness and economic recovery with the successes recorded in the fight against corruption.

He, however, called on politicians and public office holders to close ranks and put the nation's interest above personal ego, in order to achieve the desired transformation.

"Let there be unity among all the arms of government for the citizens to enjoy the dividends of good governance.

"Let the ruling party put its house in order; Mark 3:23 says: 'And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

"Only collective responsibility on the part of stakeholders can give us the cherished unity, peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development envisioned for the country," Adeyemo said.

Also speaking in the same vein, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, Chairman of the Irepodun Local Government Council of Kwara, urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to promote religious tolerance.

Oladipo, who is also the Financial Secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), said Nigeria had made substantial progress in the task of transformation.

He urged the youths to be agents of good governance and peaceful co-existence, adding that the desired development at the grassroots could only be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of rancour and acrimony.

The council boss pledged the readiness of his administration to partner with relevant stakeholders in ensuring the even distribution of the dividends of democracy at the grassroots. (NAN)