The Most Reverend Michael Olusina Fape, the Bishop of Remo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has lamented the rate Nigerians are grappling with poverty, despite the huge resources the country is endowed with.
He faulted the present-day politicians in the country for being insensitive to the plights of ordinary Nigerians, urging them to retrace their steps by adopting the philosophies of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whom he described as a man of integrity and honour.
Fape, who is the Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, said this in his sermon at the 39th Memorial Anniversary and Patronal Day of Papa Obafemi Awolowo, held on Saturday, at the Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Anglican Church, Ikenne Remo, Ogun State.
The cleric who spoke on the theme: “What will you be remembered for?” noted that the Sage wrote his name in the hearts of Nigerians, both old and young, for his visionary leadership, devoid of greed and selfish interest.
Bishop Fape wondered why Nigerians are still suffering despite the N53 trillion raked into the federating account as tax in the first quarter of the year.
He lampooned the nation’s politicians for claiming to be Awolowo disciples and had nothing to show for it, in terms of quality governance and better life for those they are governing.
“Those who call themselves as Progressives are retrogressive because they make life difficult for Nigerians. It is quite unfortunate that politicians take advantage of Nigerians by asking people to appreciate them during inauguration of projects, as if they are not elected into offices to provide good governance.
“There’s something special about the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He was a man of faith who believed in God wholeheartedly, and this reflected in his leadership by impacting positively on the people. His name has continued to re-echo in all spheres of human endeavours, be it education, agriculture, health, just to mention but a few.
“When someone is being remembered in the Yoruba culture, it is either for good or otherwise. Nobody will want Judas to come again as an individual. Only the righteous will be remembered for their deeds.
“This Diocese will never forget Papa Awolowo because he played a significant role in the creation of Remo Diocese. His name cannot be erased in the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Agbeni, in Ibadan. He was after the common good of the people.
“He was a strong pillar in Anglicanism in this Diocese. His footprints of enduring legacies are all over,” he added.
He reminded the gathering that all mortals, irrespective of status in life, would be transformed into immortality someday, admonishing them to fear God, serve their Maker and be good to the neighbours.
Bishop Fape espoused that Nigerians adopt acts that would bring about change from the family unit to the community, state, and the nation at large.
The Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, recalled that May 9th,1987, was an unforgettable date to the family.
While appreciating God for sustaining the Awolowo Dynasty over the last 39th years that the patriarch had departed.
“We can only be thankful to God as Awolowo family, because the family has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. We are continuing to enjoy His benevolence. The family will appear before the Lord Almighty next year to celebrate this day,” she added.