“If the north does not move well, Nigeria cannot move well” – Cardinal Onaiyekan

Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has declared that “If the north does not move well, Nigeria cannot move well.”

He made the remark during a meeting with the League of Northern Democrats, stressing the urgent need for the northern elite to address pressing issues of poverty and insecurity in the region.

He also advocated for collaborative efforts across regions and faiths to enhance governance and foster stability in the country.

His words: “Let’s face it, if the north does not move well, Nigeria cannot move well. It’s the same discourse. If Nigeria does move well, Africa cannot move well.

“I think we must face the reality that the way northern Nigeria is today is not what we can be proud of. All the various indices of good governance and standard of living, we have a very poor record. If Nigeria is poor, the epicentre of the poor is the north.

“And when there is a league of northern democrats, who are interested in addressing the issues and finding out, why is it that things are not moving as they should, I think things will move because a league of elite northern democrats should be able to engage those who call themselves political leaders, especially as some of you have had good experience in government.

“So, you can tell them, listen, look around you, are you proud of what you see? Out-of-school children all over the place, and it is not an excuse to say we are poor because if we continue about being poor, the issue will remain.

“We are in a federal government and federal resources are being distributed, so what has happened?

“There is no room for one section of the country to be lagging behind. What it does mean is that the entire nation should be interested in what you people are doing. If for no other reason but for what they normally call enlightened self-interest.”