By CHIDINMA EWUNONU-ALUKO

The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has lamented that Africa’s three wealthiest black nations — Nigeria, South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo – were “all in shreds for one reason or the other”.

According to him, the continent at this point in time, urgently needs courageous leaders with patriotic vision.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Ibadan, the cleric said the situation across the continent was “very unsettling”.

“Africa really needs the help of courageous leaders with patriotic vision.

“Look at Nigeria, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the three wealthiest countries of black Africa are all in shreds for one reason or the other.

“This is very unsettling. These three countries aforementioned have a great responsibility to drag Africa out of the doldrums of centuries past,” Badejo stressed.

The Catholic Bishop expressed concern that Africa’s development would remain stalled without bold leadership.

He decried the state of insecurity that had left citizens traumatised and security forces demoralised.

According to him, Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has eroded public confidence in government and reduced the military to undertakers.

“Army general’s corpse delivered by bandits, traditional rulers deserting their palaces for fear of kidnap, schools shut down by threats of abduction and entire families held hostage by criminals.”

The bishop urged President Bola Tinubu and state governors to be more active and act decisively in curbing the challenges in the face of escalating violence, else, “that would already be several years late!”.

Badejo added: “Arise Oh God rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem. This is the time when real leaders are needed. Let them show up in Nigeria now, not tomorrow…. So our army is not seen as an undertaker unit.”

Badejo remarked that the situation demanded urgent intervention by God.

He further emphasised that the continent and nation could not progress amid persistent violence and bloodshed.

Badejo noted that until the country fixed the security architecture and ensured accountability, development would remain a mirage.

The Catholic Bishop urged citizens to remain prayerful while demanding concrete steps from authorities to restore peace and stability across the country. (NAN)

Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo