Reverend Yakubu Pam, executive secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), urged the federal government to start a dialogue with various groups to ease tensions in the country.
Pam gave this advice in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
NAN reports that while some groups have called for secession or restructuring, others have called for a new constitution to reflect the wishes and aspirations of each area of the country.
Pam, however, said dialogue was the only way out of the current situation the country found itself in.
He said solutions might not be found to the various arguments and agitations by different groups unless people come together for discussions.
“Yes, the government is doing a lot to unlock funds and ensure that security personnel are covered, but it is not enough to release funds and provide the names of the people who occupy those offices in the security architecture.
“Supervision and evaluation are very important; our security agencies need to do more because civil society and some of us are not happy with what is going on, ”he said.
Pam said civil society seemed to file more complaints without offering solutions.
“This is not good for our country.
“I think once we file complaints we should be able to help the government with its policy, advise it and tell it what we think needs to be done, instead of just condemning.
“We should be able to give reasonable advice,” he said.
According to Pam, the elites including the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Sultan of Sokoto have a huge role to play in ensuring that things don’t escalate.
“We need commitment. We can’t just talk and go. Engagement with civil society should be activated at the grassroots, possibly in the six geopolitical zones.
“We have those who represent the senatorial constituencies in the National Assembly and the Senate. They should be able to talk to people, hear them and know what to do.
“At the federal level, there is commitment. Some of us at the peace level are already engaging in the six geopolitical zones.
“People have so much on their minds.
“And if we don’t channel the strength of young people into good businesses and give them hope, they can use it to destroy everything we’ve built,” he said.
Pam said he was confident in President Muhammadu Buhari‘s ability to transform the country for the better.
He called on the government to give traditional leaders a role in the constitution, as they were in direct contact with the people on a daily basis. (NAN)
