FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and elder statesman,
Chief Edwin Clark, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a
matter of urgency, declare state of emergency on corruption, saying he
must put in place more drastic measures to tackle it.
Speaking, yesterday, during the church service held for him on his
86th birthday at the St. James’ Anglican Church, (Anglican Communion),
Asokoro, Abuja, the Ijaw leader noted that corruption did not start with
the administration of President Jonathan, adding that everyone must be
involved in the fight against corruption.
Chief Clark argued that the government of Jonathan had made bold
steps to address the problem of corruption by exposing those who were
alleged to have stolen the nation’s money, especially the fuel subsidy
funds.
Tasks elders
He also urged other elders of the country to join hands with the
government in building a more united country called Nigeria, even as he
told them that they do not have another country.
He said the culture of destroying or pulling down a government, when
some ethnic groups are not in power, must stop because all were equal
as Nigerians, irrespective of state or geo-political zone.
He said: “I want to appeal to other elders of my age, above my age
and below my age to know that we don’t have another country to go to. I
pray that Nigeria remains a united nation.
“But the problem is that some people want to destroy when they are
not in power. We are all equal and we want a united Nigeria where anyone
can rise to any position.”
According to him, at 86 he was satisfied and was not looking for
anything in life having worked in different places, travelled to
different parts of the world, served as a Minister and a Senator, among
others.
He urged the young ones to respect elders, adding that he will die a happy man if Nigeria remains a united country.
Sermon
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Lokoja, Most Revd. Emmanuel Egbunu,
who preached on the ephemeral nature of life and vanity, extolled the
qualities of Chief Clark, who he said always spoke the truth
irrespective of who was involved.
Egbunu, who stood in for the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of
all Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja Diocese, the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh,
said that each time Chief Clarks talks, it was always newsworthy and
urged the celebrant to ensure that he makes same news in heaven.
Roll call
Present at the Church Service were representatives of Senator Hope
Uzodinma, representative of Senate President David Mark; wife of Deputy
governor of Delta State; delegations from Delta and Bayelsa sates;
General Lawrence Onoja, and former governor of Edo State, Professor
Oserheimen Osunbor.
Others were Senator James Manager, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Alabo
Graham Douglas, Ameh Ebute, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, Senator Bassey
Ewa-Henshaw, Professor Sylvester Monye, Bala Kaoje, National Treasurer
of PDP; former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha;
Senator Sekibo, Power Godknows Igali, among others
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