Nigerians’ penchant of going to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other parts of the world to host parties for wedding, naming, birthday has been described as barbaric.
Bishop of Akure Diocese, Rt Revd. Bishop Simeon Borokini, said the flagrant ways of displaying wealth by some Nigerians outside the shores of the country should be condemned by right-thinking Nigerians.
He said: “We do not only flagrantly display our wealth in Nigeria; we have shifted our base to foreign countries such as England, the Carribeans and other choice cities in America.
“The latest craze is going to Dubai to celebrate birthdays, marriages and sponsor private marriages to be celebrated in far away and exotic cities of the world.”
The cleric spoke at the 11th synod of the diocese with the theme “Riches of His Glory” held at the Saint Davids Anglican Church Cathedral in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Borokini, the third Bishop of the diocese, decried the acts of more people spending money on worthless things in Nigeria which is faced with bad economy.
He noted that the biggest problem Nigeria is faced with is the selfish people who do not put the country into consideration as the country does not lack resources.
Borokini, who said Nigeria would not have done better than it has done so far at 50, however, said: “Her situation is like a child with multiple opportunities missed, the arms are not working in concert with the feet, even different parts of the body are not working well.
“We witness the disturbing and most expensive way some people celebrate marriages, birthdays, burials, promotions, chieftaincy titles and house warming”.
He expressed his pleasure towards the reactions of some leaders who had been touched by God if such acts are not stopped.
He recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo at a fora in Ilorin said “Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder”.
“Obasanjo said the number of unemployed graduates is mounting and the level of poverty in the country is increasing at an alarming and uncontrollable rate.
“When the forest starts to burn, it will surely affect those who had thought they were safe. Unless there is a change of action and attitude by the government and the few oppressors who flagrantly parade their wealth and affluence in this country, unless they stop putting the rest of us in bondage of sorrow and poverty, judgement will come soon.”
The first Bishop of the diocese, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, described the theme of the synod as a self revelation of God to human kind since creation.
Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, urged the congregation to support Bishop Borokini who happens to be the first Akure son to become a bishop of the diocese.
At the synod were the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae, Rt Rev Joseph Musa, Bishop of Idah diocese, Most Rev George Lasebikan, and others.
