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Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, has said only the rule of law, where everyone is equal, will hasten the development of the country.
He said this during the maiden edition of Madonna Legacy Lecture Series organised by Madonna University, Okija Campus on Wednesday in Ihiala Local Government in Anambra.
He spoke on “Faith and the Future: Reclaiming Moral Leadership in a Fractured Nigeria.”
The Catholic Bishop urged Nigerians to engage in things that are good to their conscience and aspiration of the nation.
According to him, it is time for all to reclaim the moral and social leadership for the progress of the country.
Okpaleke said the church and the people own the society a change from some cancerous living that had eaten deep into the present world.
The cleric said the church has also done well by establishing many citadel of knowledge, where people are groomed to know the faith, spirituality and law to determine what is right from wrong.
He said when the people respect values, irrespective of their religion and respect the internal affairs of the country, international bodies would not have control over their internal principles.
“When everyone is equal before the law, only then can we have it right, the rule of law is the only way to live according to what is larger than oneself.
“When people violate social order and are reprimanded despite their status, the law then is seen to command the politicians, professor, market women, producers to be lawful.
“It is only when we as the society, as church, student, academia resolve to be ruled by the law then that faith, spirituality and brain will be seen to work together to salvage the nation,” he said.
Prof. Chibueze Aniebo of the university’s Department of Economics, said more collaboration needed to be done by the church where the actors would sit together for more agreement on formation creation acceptable to all.
He said the youths needed to have a clear-cut push in order to pick greater talents.
Prof. Jonah Onuoha, chairman of the occasion, described the lecture as a platform for national reflection, intellectual engagement and visionary discourse.
“The title of your lecture, Faith and the future: Reclaiming moral leadership in a fractured Nigeria, is both timely and important as we navigate the complexities of the nation.”
Onuoha stated that the achievements of the early Catholic missionaries and the successful establishment of the first schools, hospitals and other facilities in Nigeria laid a good foundation for the country.
“The church established schools from primary to secondary and tertiary institutions.
“The church-run-schools emphasised on moral values, discipline and character development.
“Things fell apart in the 1970s when the Nigerian government took control of many of the schools, hospitals and the growth of cultism started in our schools.
“The church has a role to play in cleansing the society of drugs, kidnapping, fast money and moral decadence.
“In short, the church must reclaim its leadership in Nigeria,” he said.
Prof. Nkechi Ezenwaamadu, chairperson of the planning committee, said the maiden lecture series was to plant the seed of a tradition that would blossom into an enduring intellectual and moral landmark for the university, the church and the nation.
Ezenwaamadu, Dean, Faculty of Education and Arts, said the series was conceived as an annual event of high academic, cultural and moral value.
She said it was also designed to be a meeting point of a scholarly forum, where leading voices in the academy ,the church and society come together to interrogate critical issues to chart pathways.
Administrator of Okija campus, Rev’d Fr. Cyriacus Emedolu, in his vote of thanks, expressed pleasure having the privilege to host the bishop, team from Elele campus and guests from the government circles.
He urged the students, teachers and non-academic staff not to relent in their effort to ensure high moral standards and discipline were maintained.
Emedolu said the students were groomed to be balanced in academic formation, morale, cultural and religion since 1999 when the university was established.
A three hundred level student in the International Studies’ Department asked if it was possible for people to have a peaceful community despite the diversity in religion. He was told that it was possible as long as the rule of law was followed.
Mr Patrick Ahga-Mba, Anambra Commissioner for Youth Development was among government dignitaries in attendance.
