The Christian Association of Nigeria has called for accountability and strengthening the justice system to punish all criminal acts undermining the country’s security.

The CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call during his goodwill message at the fourth quarterly meeting organised by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, as religious leaders, we must continue to advocate for the right values in governance as embedded in the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran to establish good governance in the country.

He said this would result in good management and equitable distribution of the country’s collective wealth.

“We gather today, not only as leaders of our respective faiths but as major stakeholders in our nation who are deeply interested in the well-being of Nigeria and its people.

“Nigeria is left with abundant natural resources, from oil and gas to solid minerals and natural gas.

“These resources have the potential to serve as powerful engines for our natural growth, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving the quality of life of all Nigerians,” Mr Okoh explained.

The cleric added, “However, the reality of this is that it is different. Instead of being a blessing, our natural resources have in many instances, become the source of conflict and insecurity.

“The mode of exploitation and greed in managing these resources have often led to strife between different ethnic and ethnicities, and also within communities that vie for control.”

Mr Okoh said that these acts resulted in insecurity and had devastating effects on social projects, leading to displacement, loss of life, and a pervasive resurgence of fear among citizens.

He said religious leaders had a unique and vital role in addressing these issues.

“Our faith teaches us the values of stewardship, sanctity of human life, compassion, and justice.

“We are called to be the voice of the voiceless, advocating for equitable resource distribution and promoting peace and reconciliation among our communities.

“It is imperative that we use our positions to address the level of wickedness that manifests in the lack of transparency, accountability, impunity, and outright organised theft of our commonwealth,” added the CAN leader.

(NAN)