BOKO HARAM CAN BE DEFEATED BY A STRONG INTERNATIONAL FORCE, Courage Igene

In today’s fast paced world, the issue of morality has been questioned. With lots of perversion around, Christians are beginning to forget some Christian virtues as biblical injunctions. United States based Preacher, Apostle Courage Igene, the leader of ‘All Nations Church Int’l’ who has made the assertion and shared his thought ahead of the country’s 60th Independence anniversary even as he expressed concern over recurring killings, social-economic problems and other challenges. Emmanuel clement brought the excerpt.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MADE BY NIGERIA SINCE 1960?
Only a liar will say they are satisfied. So much needs to be done, especially insecurity in Nigeria which has been a recurring challenge for the nation taking into cognizance the southern kaduna massacres. Many have lost trace of family members and their ancestral homes and have become refugees in their own country. I pray God will raise men that will transform the nation inside out. Too much wasted resources everywhere. But i pray for a change which will soon occur.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S DECLARATION THAT CAMA WILL HELP FIGHT CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY?
The Company of Allied Matters Act, CAMA has always been there. Nothing wrong with it. Where Ministers are having issues is in some recent provisions that was added to it. The major one is; Removing a Church’s Board of Trustee and replacing them with whoever the government sees fit and the church cannot seek redress in a court of law. That is not only dictatorial, barbaric but its a provision that is dead on arrival. No where in the world especially in a sane democratic society are you told you cant go to court if you feel you have been wrongly treated by an individual or organization. Thats where the problem is.

HOW CAN NIGERIA DEFEAT INSURGENCY, BANDITRY, KILLER HERDSMEN AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE COUNTRY?
Nigeria should build a Coalition with neighboring nations and partner with the International community. Major terrorist organizations have been dissipated around the world. Boko Haram is too small not to be stamped out with strong International force. If the Church of God is United, we can withstand anything. No matter what anybody is saying, call it herdsmen, call it insurgency or Boko Haram, if the church can sit in her office as a church, the church will be able to decide what happens in the nation. Many countries don’t pray like Nigeria yet they have no terrorist organizations because they have a strong security operation. Everything is not prayer. If the Nigeria Government wasn’t corrupt and Military ill-equipped, by now Boko Haram would have been a forgotten issue.

DO WE SEEK HELP OF THE UNITED NATIONS OR FRIENDLY AFRICAN NATIONS?
Of course we need to. Nigeria has really suffered so much that they do not even know how to come out of that suffering.

DO YOU SUPPORT STATE POLICE OR DO WE RETAIN ONLY FEDERAL POLICE FORCE?
Not sure if Nigeria is ready for State Police. There has to be a referendum on this and lawmakers have a role to play here as representatives of the people in deciding such a crucial matter.

NIGERIA AT 60, DOES IT WORTH CELEBRATING?
Yes, that we are alive and well is worth celebrating. We may not be where we want to be now but thank God we are not where we used to be.