Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed deep concern over the normalization of violence and killings in Nigeria, lamenting that many citizens have become desensitized to bloodshed and tragic incidents that once provoked national outrage.
Jonathan made the remarks on Saturday while delivering a goodwill message at the Anglican Diocese of Abuja’s first session of the 13th Synod themed “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry,” drew bishops, clergy and delegates from across the country.
Jonathan said: “As someone who has spent many years in public life and politics, I must confess that moments like this provide an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of our society,” he said. “When we look around today, particularly at the challenges confronting our country, it is easy to become discouraged.
Violence, insecurity, moral decline, and the loss of human values have become deeply troubling realities. “What is even more painful is how society sometimes appears to normalise these tragedies as though they are ordinary occurrences. In times past, such incidents would shake the conscience of the nation.
“Today, people are killed, communities are destroyed, and life seems to continue as though nothing has happened. This ought not to be so. It is a reminder that society desperately needs moral direction, spiritual guidance, and a restoration of values.”
The former President stressed the critical role of the Church in restoring moral standards and serving as the conscience of the nation. He also cautioned against the negative influence of modern technology, which he said often glorifies wrong behaviours.
Jonathan called for responsible leadership, integrity, and collective efforts towards peace, justice, and national renewal. The event also featured remarks by former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Peter Akinola.
Meanwhile, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Revd. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, has called on Nigerians to make themselves available to God, and also to be His instruments by touching the lives of people around them.
The Most Revd. Dr. Ndukuba, made the call, while speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the ongoing service of the First Session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja held at St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He said, “In a time when people are suffering, in a time of insecurity, in a time of much fear, hunger and poverty, it is necessary for us to make ourselves available not only to God, but also to the people around us, to be instruments of God’s peace and power, touching lives, situations and families.”
The Primate further urged Christians to rise to the challenges confronting the nation by becoming instruments of peace, hope and service to the people.
He said the Church must return to the word of God and empower believers for effective ministry in a period marked by insecurity, poverty and fear.
Ndukuba, who is also the Bishop of Abuja Diocese, said the gathering would focus on how the Church can impact society and strengthen believers to serve God faithfully in contemporary Nigeria.
He said: “Service to God must have an impact on the people. We are considering first of all the impact of the Word of God in our lives as believers, as God’s own chosen people.”
