Nigerians must decide their future—Former Archbishop Welby

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, GCVO, has declared that the future of Nigeria must be decided by Nigerians themselves, without surrendering its sovereignty.
Speaking at a public lecture organised by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as part of activities marking the institution’s 45th Convocation Ceremony, Welby explained that the task was not the responsibility of the government alone.
“That means those in political, economic, spiritual, social, legal, traditional, and other leadership must be willing, among many other demands, to take responsibility for guarding the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said. The lecture, titled ‘Building Inter‑Ethnic and Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Pathways to National Unity’, took place at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Welby stressed that inter‑ethnic and religious harmony requires that Nigeria’s sovereignty be committed to confronting its own weaknesses, seeking support when needed, and informing where necessary.
He added that such harmony would be a vain dream unless it is built on history and reflects the political, economic, and physical environments, including international dimensions.
Essentially, the lecture addressed four areas: the foundations for inter‑faith and ethnic harmony and for building national unity; the global environment; the values needed; and what must be done, taking into account the interaction of social, economic, and political conditions in Nigeria and abroad.
He stated that Nigerians must also embrace honesty in building inter‑ethnic and religious harmony. Welby asserted that in no country could corruption be wiped out, stressing that, like weeds in a field, it must be fought fiercely if there is to be a good crop.