The problem with Nigeria, by Archbishop Ladigbolu

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From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.

Archbishop Sanda Ayoade Ladigbolu belongs to a class of eminent personalities among the clergy.
Born 70 years ago to the Royal Family of Agunloye / Alowolodu in Oyo town, the cleric, who had bachelor’s degree in Theology and Master’s degree in Mass Communication, started his career in journalism as a
stringer for the Nigerian Tribune, Daily Service and the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service (WNBC/WNTV).
Bishop Ladigbolu was the Methodist Archbishop for Ondo State before the creation of Ekiti State and also Bishop of Ibadan Province (which oversees Oyo, Ogun and parts of Osun State).
He retired as Archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ilesa Province (which covers Edo, Delta, Osun, Kwara, Kogi and Ondo states).
Aside his Muslim background, early Islamic education, theological education, rich cultural experience, coupled with pastoral experience of over 40 years, the Minister of God is widely travelled globally.
Speaking Freedom Online’s Oyo/Ogbomoso
Correspondent, Bode Durojaiye, Most Rev. Ladigbolu enumerated challenges facing Africa and indeed Nigeria, “where they know more of war than peace, killings than living, injustices than justices, hatred than love and starvation than food”.
He lamented the challenges of economic and financial hardships, massive unemployment, chronic poverty, poor rural life, pandemic explosion of HIV/AIDS, increasing political tension and urban population explosion without adequate infrastructure.
“The level of moral decadence and the prevalence of gambling and lotteries, drunkeness, armed robbery, embezzlement of public funds, indolence, drug pushing and addiction ravaging the society today are alarming and disturbing. Theology must play roles in re-conditioning the society, especially living peacefully in a multi-religious society. The decay in Christian discipline and
spirituality where people take decisions without seeking God’s face is indeed saddening”.
Conversing with His Grace will no doubt convince one that Bishop Ladigbolu is a man with numerous gifts, language, candour, humility and rare talent of artistry.
On culture, the cleric noted that “the key to reconstructing our
lives and societies lies not in neglecting our past as if it never
happened, but in accepting that past, not only as the source of
generation, but also as the source of regeneration”.
He added that “it is only when we learn to truly and properly return to our natural, social and spiritual virtues of yesteryears, that our present will accept to merge with our past, and to merge from the past into an enlarged future. Only then we can truly identify what constitutes our real local resource base on which to build a solid healthy future to
ourselves and our descendants”.
Bishop Ladigbolu also advised Ministers of God to play down
sychophancy and praise-singings, but be courageous enough to challenge those in authority to respect the rule of law and remember their accountability not only to the populace but also to God.
According to him, Ministers Of God should stand against money politics to eschew the endemic rigging in election
processes, and thus empower the battered electorate.
“It is terribly disheartening to see our politicians living
extravagant lifestyles, as they continue to swim in an ocean of
ill-gotten wealth, to the detriment of teeming impoverished
populace. Our political culture remains crude since it is conducted like warfare, while political parties have no control over their members. In most cases, party manifestoes are meaningless to voters”.
He further postulated that many Nigerians join political
parties as insurance against poverty and victimisation, adding that for many, joining parties can become a springboard to power, money and fame.
While urging Nigerians to support and cooperate with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in its task of national rebirth, the cleric warned: “Until every individual develops a strong sense of commitment to truth and stand by that commitment, peace, progress and stability would be difficult to accomplish”.

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