Okogie urges compensation for slain Corps members

WORRIED by the recent murder of some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the post- polls violence in the Northern part of the country, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie has called on the Federal Government to compensate families of the slain youths.

The call came as the Niger Delta Nationality Forum yesterday condemned the violence that erupted in some parts of the country as a result of the election.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased, particularly the slain NYSC members and all others that were affected in the crisis, it called on all aggrieved parties to use peaceful and legal means to settle electoral disputes.

Okogie who spoke in Lagos over the weekend prayed God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the victims, reminding all concerned of the sanctity of life, while insisting that there was no reason good enough to justify the wanton killing since God alone was the author of life.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Manager Seigha also urged support for Jonathan saying that the appeal was aimed at enabling the administration to make necessary transformation and development in the country.

While calling for the quick review of the NYSC scheme , Okogie lamented that it was unfortunate that such a laudable national programme was now suffering a grievous set back at a crucial time in the life of the nation.

He, however, cautioned that in deciding on the way forward concerning the programme, care must be taken to ensure that ‘we do not throw away the baby with dirty water’.

The cleric also urged the Federal government to act fast so as to bring the perpetrators of the ‘senseless act’ to book, warning that ‘if we let this insult on the nation go by like the many others in the past, we may be irreparably destroying the myth on which this nation is built’.

Okogie also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for being worthy instrument for a free and fair election in the country, advising him to be wary of sycophants and political lobbyists who will be hanging around him to distract him for their personal gains.

“You have been elected by the people, and not just your party members or those political opportunists, therefore, you must put the people first in all your plans and considerations and be a father to all Nigerians,” he added.

Seigha also called on President Jonathan to tackle the problems of energy, infrastructure, security, education, health, among others.

According to him, “In our agenda for Mr. President, we wish to draw his attention to the yarning of Nigerians in the area of energy, which is the utmost priority at present.

On the Niger Delta crisis , Seigha said, “We strongly want Jonathan to take quick and decisive action in transforming the area. Niger Delta has remained under-developed even after 50 years of the country’s independence. Therefore his presidency must address the Niger Delta issues headlong. This is because after four years in office, we the Niger Deltans will not be in a position to say we are still being marginalized.”

-Guardian

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