We’re living in uncertainty, says Cardinal Onaiyekan
• Says if nation is not ruled well, things can’t go well, people will suffer • Obasanjo tasks experts on climate change
THE Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said that the current mood in the country is certainly not a joyful one, saying it is like Nigerians are living under a cloud of uncertain political conditions.
Onaiyekan said the cause of worry was connected with the fact that if things were not handled well, there would be dire consequences for the nation, and above all, for the 200 million Nigerians.
According to him, everything is certainly not fine, as issues being debated in the court are beyond who won or lost in the election, but about whether our nation would survive and be ruled well.
The Cardinal spoke with journalists, yesterday, during the 80th birthday celebration of Professor Emeritus, Sunday Ajayi, held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan ( UI), Oyo State.
The cleric, while lauding scholarly accomplishments of the celebrant, encouraged other Nigerian professors to carry out academic research that would impact the life of the ordinary person.
He also lauded research efforts of Ajayi and his colleagues, which, he said, gave birth to the domestication of ‘ cat fish’ and breeding of ‘ bush rat’ and ‘ grass cutter.’ Speaking on the occasion, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “I celebrate with you and the entire Ajayi family on your 80th birthday. Since we met in 1986, I have noted your selfless service to our beloved country, Nigeria, especially through your outstanding contributions to academia in your chosen field. Your exemplary pioneering role in the study of Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology in Africa is a legacy to be proud of, and you have shown that a lot can be achieved silently through hard work, resilience and without undue self- advertisement.”
Obasanjo also harped on the need for all and sundry to prioritise the preservation of the environment because of the reality of climate change.