By Ayomide Otitoju
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State, Stephen Adegbite, has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, dialogue and patriotism in response to rising insecurity across the country.
Adegbite made the appeal on Thursday during a media briefing in Lagos, expressing concern over growing security challenges nationwide.
He urged Nigerians not to lose confidence in the ability of the government and security agencies to restore peace and protect lives.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) also called for unity across ethnic, religious and political lines, expressing optimism that the country would overcome its current difficulties.
“As Christian leaders and patriotic Nigerians, we shall continue to pray for peace, unity, progress and good governance in our dear country,” he said. “We also call on all Nigerians, irrespective of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations, to remain united and hopeful.”
Adegbite said citizens are entitled to express concerns over insecurity and governance challenges, noting that democracy allows for free expression within the law.
“Nigerians are entitled to voice their concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and other perceived failures of government,” he said.
However, he cautioned that protests and public agitation must not be allowed to degenerate into violence or actions capable of destabilising the country.
“National interest must remain paramount. While constructive criticism is healthy for democracy, actions capable of creating chaos, deepening division, or undermining national stability must be discouraged,” he added.
Calling for restraint and dialogue, Adegbite urged leaders and citizens to prioritise national unity over partisan interests.
“This is the time to build the nation together and not pull it apart,” he said.
On recent security incidents, Adegbite condemned the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State and the killing of a Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, describing the acts as inhuman.
He sympathised with affected families and prayed for the safe return of the kidnapped victims.
“The perpetrators are agents of evil and enemies of humanity, not representatives of any true religious teaching or value system,” he said.
