Archbishop of Canterbury urges Nigerians to be selfless, united

• Describes Lekki shooting as ‘outrage’

THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has described the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki last Tuesday as “an outrage.”

“The deliberate shooting of unarmed protestors in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria last week was an outrage. I say this as a human being, as a Christian, and as the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion – which counts some 18 million Nigerians as part of our global family,” said  the Archbishop.

Welby, however, said this is the time for Nigerians to come together to play a role in the political and civil leadership of the country.

In a piece titled, ‘A time for heroes’, the cleric said Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation, should make effort for the common good of the nation, adding that no nation can be built without heroism.

“This is a time for heroes. No nation can be built without heroism. This is a time for all those who play a role in the political and civil leadership of Nigeria to be heroes for the common good. This is a time to sacrifice ambition, to set aside party, to unite to serve in order that Nigerians from richest to poorest may flourish.

Welby continued, “I am not speaking of a national government, a single non-party approach but of a national determination, agreement and declaration that there will be a common effort for the common good of the nation. I am talking of a willingness to give everything and sacrifice everything, position, place, ideas, wealth, from the highest to the lowest: I appeal for a sacrifice that will raise the nation, bring hope and set a course for prosperity and a glowing future.”

The leader of the Anglican worldwide added that for a great nation to be built, Nigerians must embrace selflessness by making “personal position second to the basic needs” of others.

“This is a time for heroes. We often see heroism as something for battle, for events far away. To build a nation requires a very different heroism. It needs those who say that their personal position must be second to the basic needs of all Nigerians.

“I call on Nigerian leaders to come together and agree a common vision that puts aside differences, steers the ship of state away from the rocks of conflict and sets a course that is for the good of all. Democratic politics must continue, the abandonment of democracy would worsen the crisis, but let all involved agree to meet the basic needs of Nigeria.

Those needs are simple. They begin with security. On that foundation can be built food and shelter. Without those two foundations life itself is impossible. They are not privileges of the rich or middle class – although in so many countries that is the tragic reality. They are the entitlement of every human being. Nigeria has the courage to be better than the others.”

The archbishop, who commended the organisational skills and unity displayed by the protesters, said such attributes would pilot Nigeria to her desired future.

“He has poured a wonderful mix of peoples into the nation. In a world where difference from others is too often threat the example of differences being overcome with mutual respect, rich for poor, ethnic group and ethnic group, north and south, Muslim and Christian, such an example will lead the world in the future.

“For this future to come, heroes are needed today. The efforts of heroism needed are enormous for everyone from the President to the poorest fisherman, herder or farmer. I have had the privilege of meeting them in all sorts of places around the world, from priests to Prime Ministers, from coal mining Christians under persecution to privileged servants of their peoples.

“Heroism for Nigeria must come from Nigeria. Foreigners cannot bring it even if they may encourage it. Outsiders cannot create the heroism of reconciliation and peace building although they may support it. It is there – I say again, I cry out with passion, IT IS THERE in Nigeria. I was so moved, to my very heart when I heard of Christian demonstrators stopping to protect Muslims who had stopped to pray. And the other way round. They were heroes, neither compromising faith nor hating the other. Heroism is alive and well in Nigeria. Let elites of government and opposition set it free.” He added.

 The cleric said heroism is required because nation building requires both virtue and resistance.